My taken-for-granted glass of waterAndy Freeman - 21 Mar 2013

Tomorrow (Friday 22nd) is World Water Day.  Did you know that 2013 is the UN’s Year of International Co-Operation on water?  No? Thought you didn’t.

Now although we seem to have a day for everything right now, having a day to focus on water might seem odd.  But that question in your mind would be a give away as to where you live - that water came from your taps clean and available.  That water is easy. 

Water is one of those things we take for granted.  We shower in it, we drink it, we cook with it, we flush the toilet with it, we even swim in it.  It’s everywhere.  Well, it’s everywhere depending on where you live.  Or to be factually correct, it’s everywhere but it’s not always clean.  In the developing world, water is still everywhere.  Some of the largest and longest rivers in the world are in Sub Saharan Africa.  But if you drink or wash in these rivers .... that might be a problem.

The UN estimates that 4 billion people (two-thirds of the world’s population) do not have access to safe, clean water.  The World Health Organisation says that 28% of infant deaths (under 5 yrs) can be traced back to poor sanitation or unsafe water. 

For two-thirds of the people of this planet, especially our children, water can be a killer.  

Take a rural community in a developing Africa country.........

• Polluted drinking water will be a major contributor to the early death of babies.
• The community will probably only have one water source, making it susceptible to bacteria or contamination from rubbish.
• The most basic levels of sanitation (provision of water and disposal of toilet waste) will not exist.  It may be likely that raw sewerage is flowing near or through water supplies.
• Two incredible dangerous diseases - cholera and diarrhea - come from unclean water.

World Water Day seeks to bring the world’s attention to this massive, but often incredibly solvable problem.  There are events and activities going on around the world.  Why not visit their website and find out more - is there anything going on near you?  How about dedicating a small part of your next Church service to water?  Why not gather friends and run a prayer room on the issue?  Maybe you could explore what the issue means on the ground somewhere?

Drink a Prayer

As I write this article I’m sitting in a local coffee shop in my hometown of Reading.  Alongside my coffee I asked for a cup of tap water.  The Barista duly obliged, and even asked me if I wanted ice, all part of the service. I reckon most of us will drink a glass of water a day.  Would you join me in praying each time you pour a glass of water or fill a kettle.  Pray for the victims of dirty water.  Pray for a change that will mean water will become a gift and not a killer.

If you want to feedback on this story, use the comment section or email me at [email protected] to continue the discussion.

You can find out more about World Water Day 2013

“Acknowledging the physical realities of our planet does not mean a dismal future of endless sacrifice. In fact, acknowledging these realities is the first step in dealing with them. We can meet the resource problems of the world -- water, food, minerals, farmlands, forests, overpopulation, pollution -- if we tackle them with courage and foresight.” Jimmy Carter, former US President