Water Facts
The International Water Management Institute predicts that by 2025 about 2.7 billion people - a third of the world population - will live in regions faced by regular and severe water scarcity. Asia and sub-Saharan Africa will be hit hardest. Vast areas of the world already face shortages of varying severity, including the entire Mediterranean region, Pakistan, parts of India and China, most of southern Africa, and major regions in North and South America.
- About 83% of our blood is water. It helps digest our food, transport waste, and control body temperature.
- Globally, approximately 34,000 deaths occur daily from water-, faeces-, and dirt-related diseases.
- In the developing countries, 80% of illnesses are water-related.
- Once evaporated, a water molecule spends about 10 days in the air.
- Freshwater lakes, rivers, and underground aquifers hold only 3.5% of the world's water. By comparison, saltwater oceans and seas contain 95.1% of the world's water supply.
- One litre of oil can contaminate up to 2 million litres of water.
- Approximately 10 litres of water is required to grow 1 kilogram of potatoes.
- Many homes lose more water from leaky taps than they need for cooking and drinking.
|
