WORLD WATER DAY: The value of clean water, made personal.

A young resident of Maslakh camp (Afghanistan) takes a drink of water. UN Photo/E. Debebe

Flush. Don’t think twice about it.

Turn the tap. No big deal.

Start the laundry, fill your tub, wash you hands, whatever. It’s just water.

The simple fact that we can consider a precious resource and the complex system it takes to bring it to and from our homes safely “no big deal” is exactly why World Water Day March 22 should be a very big deal.

What is World Water Day? World Water Day, established by the United Nations in 1993, was originally launched to promote to the importance of fresh water and bring attention to water-resource management and sanitation challenges around the world.

We are proud to support WWD programs that help residents understand how Cleveland’s urban water cycle works and relate it to the water-quality realities and struggles that still exist today.

Two local World Water Day celebrations include Drink Local. Drink Tap.‘s Wavemaker Program students’ trip to the Greater Cleveland Aquarium March 20, and Cleveland Metroparks’ “Go Global” festivities at the Watershed Stewardship Center at West Creek March 22.

Consider the West Virgina chemical spill that knocked out water supplies for weeks. Imagine the need to trek for clean water for yourself or your family from a distant source miles away. Sometimes making it personal makes a difference.

There are countless ways to make World Water Day inspirational. Communicate, educate, donate, however you choose to support the cause, it’s not to late.