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March 22 is World Water Day

By
Real Estate Agent

 I had never heard of "World Water Day" before about 5 minutes ago, and I am guessing many of you are in the same boat, as it were.

In 1992, the UN declared March 22 as "World Water Day" with the intention to draw international attention to the "critical lack of clean, safe drinking water worldwide." Read More

Here is a shocking excerpt from their World Water Crisis Report :

"The world water crisis is one of the largest public health issues of our time. Nearly 1.1 billion people (roughly 20% of the world's population) lack access to safe drinking water1. The lack of clean, safe drinking water is estimated to kill almost 4,500 children per day2. In fact, out of the 2.2 million unsafe drinking water deaths in 2004, 90% were children under the age of five3. Water is essential to the treatment of diseases, something especially critical for children."

In Real Estate transactions we think of water in terms of "Public or Well", but we nearly always take for granted that there IS access to water.  We forget that 20% of the population can't get any access to safe drinking water.  I encourage you to take a few moments today to consider that, and remember to be grateful the next time you sip from your $1 20oz bottle of spring water, or the next time you feel like complaining about the taste of the water in the office water cooler.

This article can be viewed at http://activerain.com/blogsview/58194/March-22-is-World

David Spencer
Keller Williams Northland - Kansas City, MO
Show Me real estate in Kansas City
Detroit and  MilWalkee dump raw sewage into the Great Lakes. Chicago takes water runoff and sends it to New Orleans instead of routing it back to Lake Michigan.
Mar 15, 2007 07:50 AM
Jeff Turner
RealSatisfied - Santa Clarita, CA

Fabulous post and a great reminder of just how lucky we are!

i rate this post

 

Mar 15, 2007 09:12 AM
Rich Schiffer
Swarthmore, PA
Referral Agent, e-PRO
Thanks, Jeff, that means a lot...not as much as picking me as your apprentice would have meant, mind you, but I really do appreciate it.  :)
Mar 15, 2007 09:15 AM
Dena Stevens
Rocky Mountain Realty - Canon City, CO
Putting The Real Into Realtor Since 2004
Totally awesome! You are correct, it's not something I think much about. I will now #5!
Mar 16, 2007 02:30 AM
Sheron Cardin
California Moods Inc - Selma, CA
ARTIST - A Home Stager/Sellers Best Friend!
I cannot go 10 seconds without water once I am thirsty for it. I talk a lot about the wagon trains and how they ever made it. Time to go deeper and imagine not being able to drink it if it is there in front of me. Torture! Thank you for the post. You will have to dig it up again in 11 months for a reminder. I am going to drink water on Earth day for all those who can't.
Apr 20, 2007 09:35 AM
Gary Smith
Agent Marketing Today - Commerce Township, MI
Rich, nice find. Wonder how it got lost over the years. I was surprised to see some of the facts. 
Apr 20, 2007 03:51 PM
Robert McArtor
RE/MAX Components - Fallston Maryland - Bel Air, MD
Top Listing Agent for Baltimore and Harford County
Love my Well Water. It's Natural, Pure, and it runs through my $39 filter in my Sears Refrigerator.....MMMmmm Good!
Apr 20, 2007 03:55 PM
Gena Riede
Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA
Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699
Rich, great post. It's sad when you think about the water issues that we have. In parts of Africa, and Australia...water is the highest commodity due to the lack thereof. We all need to get on the bandwagon and make more of an effort before ...
Apr 21, 2007 02:56 AM
Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495
Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL

Thanks for reminding us Rich.  More on the subject.......due to climate change the once snow and glacier covered mountains which are less and less snow and glacier covered, provide water for 40% of the people on this planet.  When that is gone what will they do?  Here in Florida our fresh water sources are rapidly dwindling.  South Florida is in water restrictions, they can no longer tap the Everglades for water.  One large town north of us is predicted to be out of water by 2020.  They have not yet imposed restrictions.  HUH?  A lot of people here in FL have wells, those are drying up, the underground aquifer is low, and on and on.  Nationwide, many of the bottled water producers, are buying water from municipalities at an alarming rate, depleting the water sources in many areas, and moving on to the next.  One day we will be happy just to have enough water just to drink.  And all you bottle water drinkers beware, many of them with spring water sounding names are nothing but filtered city tap water.  And you pay how much per bottle when you can get it at home? Not to mention the energy costs associated with plastic bottle production.  So, we should celebrate World Water Day everyday by cutting back on our own water usage, and filling our own containers of "take along water" at home. Remember the mantra "reduce, reuse, and recycle", we can all do it!

Terry Haugen - STAGE it RIGHT!

Apr 21, 2007 04:33 AM
Colorado Springs Real Estate
Colorado Springs, CO
I believe we are headed into a water crisis. It is only a matter of time.
Apr 25, 2007 02:18 AM
Dena Stevens
Rocky Mountain Realty - Canon City, CO
Putting The Real Into Realtor Since 2004
Had to come back for a visit. Back when I was in Elementry School in the '70's I had a teacher tell us the planet would soon be out of clean water or water at all. Now years later we are still talking about water, there is so much to do yet.
Apr 25, 2007 02:30 AM
Simon Rosenzweig
Real Estate and Marketing - Lakewood, NJ
That is eye opening!
Apr 26, 2007 09:14 AM