Why waste water?

World Water Day, which is celebrated on 22 March every year, is about taking action to tackle the water crisis. Today, there are over 663 million people living without a safe water supply close to their homes, spending countless hours queuing or trekking to distant sources, and coping with the health impacts of using contaminated water.

Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of fresh water. In 2017, the theme is Wastewater. Globally, the vast majority of all the wastewater from our homes, cities, industry and agriculture flows back to nature without being treated or reused – losing valuable nutrients and other recoverable materials.

Reducing and safely treating and reusing wastewater, for example, in agriculture and aquaculture, protects worker, farmers and consumers, and promotes food security, health and wellbeing.

Australia Awards–Africa Awardees return home with new ideas and knowledge, and the ability to make a significant contribution to their home countries as leaders in the field. Alumni are able to bring solutions to bringing fresh accessible water to their communities and home countries, as highlighted below:

Ethopia – Simeneh Shiferaw Moges

Tanzania – Patrick Nzamba