By: Serena Matovich

Water Supply The Earth is 70 percent water. The amount available for human consumption is less than one percent. All other water is either fresh water that is frozen, not safe to consume, salt water in the water, or inaccessible percent of the water on Earth is salt water percent of all fresh water is frozen in ice caps and glaciers.

Lack of Water Access In Africa, there are 345 million people who don't have access to water In developed countries (such as the United States and Europe), there are 10 million people without access to water. There are 780 million people in the world that lack access to water.

Water Related Disease Every 21 seconds, a child dies from water related diseases. Guinea Worm disease: occurs when drinking water is contaminated with Dracunculus larvae. In 2002, there were 50,000 cases of Guinea Worm disease in 13 countries in Africa. Typhoid: caused by a bacterial infection from eating or drinking contaminated things. Every year, there are about 12 million diagnosed with typhoid.

Water Scarcity The amount of water there is never changes, thanks the water cycle. There is the possibility that when water return to the Earth, it won't be return in the same place, or with the same quality or quantity. Population, demand and climate are growing and changing.

Water Changes Based on Climate A climate that is warmer increases evaporation from the land and sea, and also allows more water to be held in the atmosphere. For every degree in Fahrenheit the temperature rises, the water holding capacity in the atmosphere increases by about 4%.

Water in Economics According to the World Health Association, for every dollar invested in water and sanitation, there is an economic return of between 3 and 34 dollars.

Recycling Wastewater Wastewater has already been being recycled for agricultural and industrial purposes. Places like Singapore and Windhoek, Nambia are already recycling wastewater for drinking purposes. In Fairfax, Virginia they have been recycling wastewater since the 1970s and 5% of their daily water supply comes from purified wastewater. Only 10% of wastewater comes from toilets. The rest comes from showers, sinks, and laundry machines. Purified wastewater is actually cleaner than water bought in store because of stricter rules for cleanliness.

Water Reduction Take showers instead of baths. Never run the faucet continuously. Use low-flow shower heads or an adjustable flow reducer. Fix any leaks you may have.

The Water Challenge Founded by the Water Project. Created for Schools (or classes), Churches, youth groups, or companies to participate. Asks participants to only drink water from the tap for two weeks and then to donate the money they saved. Over the past 2 months over 800 groups around the United States and Canada have signed up.