WORLD WATER DAY 2017 CONCEPT PAPER

 

Concept Note on National Celebration of World Water Day 2017

 

Introduction:

 

World Water Day (WWD) is celebrated by the international community on the 22nd of March each year, to draw attention to the importance of freshwater and advocate the sustainable management of freshwater resources. The annual event highlights a specific aspect of freshwater.

 

 

 

Global Theme:

 

  • “Water and Waste Water”

 

 

 

Objective:

 

  • To highlight the interdependence between water and wastewater situated in factors such as climate change, population growth and economic development in the quest for sustainable development and demand for sustainable solutions to make the world future-proof.

 

 

 

 

 

Objectives:

 

  • Raise public awareness about the interdependence between water and waste water in the quest for sustainable development
  • Educate the public on the importance of considering waste water as a valuable resource that requires safe management.

 

 

 

General Information:

 

This year’s celebration is also an opportunity to learn more about how wastewater is perceived as a valuable resource in the circular economy and its safe management as an efficient investment in the health of humans and ecosystems.

 

 

 

Wastewater is water that has been used in homes and businesses in ways that negatively impact its quality with high concentrations of pollutants.  It is largely made up of human waste, oils, grease, chemicals, dirt and soaps from sinks, showers and washing machines and effluent from industries, commercial businesses and institutions.

 

 

 

Proper management of wastewater ensures the protection of public health and the environment as well as providing valuable resources such as biogas and organic fertilizer.

 

Improving waste water management means improvement on all six targets of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) on Water which is to “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.” The six targets are as follows:

 

  • 6.1       by 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
  • 6.2       by 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all, and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations
  • 6.3       by 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and increasing recycling and safe reuse by x% globally
  • 6.4       by 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity, and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity
  • 6.5       by 2030 implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through trans-boundary cooperation as appropriate
  • 6.6       by 2020 protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes

 

 

 

 

 

Proposed Activities for the National Celebration:

 

  • The main activity is a Media Publicity Campaign with the following action plans:

 

-       Launch of Media Publicity Campaign at the Ministry of Information

 

-       Commissioning of special television and radio news features (nationwide)

 

-       Newspaper articles

 

-       Television and radio discussions on the theme (nationwide)

 

-       Advertisements

 

-       March 22nd climax event – Study tour of IWMI’s waste water recycling “Fortifier” site and flag hoisting ceremony with statement by Sector Ministry and delivery of the UN Secretary General’s Statement.

 

-       Award of competitors in last year’s Tree Planting Competition for Schools as part of activities marking the 2016 World Water Day celebration.