Water is important for sustaining life on Earth. It is essential also for the economic growth of a region as it supports human development by job creations and providing livelihood.

To sensitize the communities regarding water related issues, the World Water Day is celebrated on 22 March as an annual event. The first International World Water Day was commemorated in 1993 by the United Nations and it became an international observance day.

Presently, more than 650 million people are living sans  safe water supply around the world. They have to spend considerable time to procure water from various available sources, many times going long distances for the purpose. Still, it is not guaranteed that they will get safe water and they may end up getting contaminated water. This puts their health in jeopardy.

About 80% of the wastewater around the world flows back into the nature without any treatment. Even it’s   reuse potential is not tapped fully. Not only this more than 1.5 billion people are subjected to contaminated water  and face the risk of getting affected by various diseases  including dysentery, cholera, polio and typhoid, to name a few. Each year, such unsafe water causes more than 800,000 deaths around the world, as per reports by different organizations working in this field.

This day highlights the need of providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene or WASHES facilities in all developing countries of the world. Further, freshwater resources are also focused and their sustenance is considered on this day.  

The enormous wastewater potential as a resource is also highlighted as a source for safely  managed  source for  water, nutrients and energy, and other materials which could be salvaged.

World Water Day is commemorated by all the concerned organizations and entities around the world. These organizations encourage supply of clean water for people as also aquatic habitats sustenance. Various events like theme based musical and theatrical performances and educational drives are planned on  22 March or nearby days.

Every year, the UN-Water marks a theme. Previous themes include 'Water and Sustainable Development' in 2015 and 'Water and Jobs' in 2016.

For  2017, 'Why wastewater?' is the motto being promoted to focus on wastewater and how can it be reduced and reused. More than 80% of wastewater from the cities and industry as well as agriculture goes back to nature causing pollution.

The world should  improve the treatment process of wastewater to reuse it safely.  Simultaneously, it is needed   to reduce the pollution content of wastewater which is generated.

The UN has set a Sustainable Development Goal to ensure  the availability of water and sanitation for all by year 2030. It also includes the target to bring down the quantity of untreated wastewater to half. Further, water recycling will be increased and it’s safe reuse will be promoted.

It is not enough to commemorate a day on the theme of water only once a year, as it needs a vast effort round the year. Awareness is the key to a viable and long term solution.