Imagining a world without water
Every year on this day, Imagine a Day Without Water, I reflect on my experience as a junior engineer living in Lesotho and Botswana designing water systems in rural villages. At the time, I was initially surprised that this did not mean putting taps in homes, but a communal tap for many households and animals to use. However, even this was great improvement over their current source of water 鈥� the local polluted stream.
That was the first time I was exposed to the reality of just how many people around the world don鈥檛 have access to safe drinking water. It is such a critical resource that we take for granted every day. Without water, we couldn鈥檛 wash our hands or dispose of waste. In fact, how we have been able to manage through a global pandemic is largely dependent on having access to clean water.
Since then, I have continued to support communities in developing countries. When I moved to the U.S. in 1991, I joined the Wisconsin Committee for Water for People and went on their first trip to Guatemala. Our assignment was to review and determine how to fix an existing water system that had stopped working only a few weeks after being installed. This demonstrated to me that for a community to have a sustainable water system, not only do they need the support to design and install it, but they also need training and funding for long term operation and maintenance.
91影视鈥檚 Partnership with Water For People
Water For People is a key partner for 91影视 because their mission aligns with our vision: a world where infrastructure creates opportunity for everyone 鈥� uplifting communities, improving access and sustaining鈥痮ur鈥痯lanet. Today, I represent our organization in Water For People鈥檚 Leadership Council alongside the world鈥檚 leading professional engineering firms. 91影视 and our people have partnered with Water For People for more than 11 years, raising over $1 million through direct contributions, fundraising activities and volunteerism.
Water For People鈥檚 approach of 鈥淓veryone, forever鈥� speaks to the critical sustainability component of water systems for communities in need. They partner with local governments, businesses and individuals where resources matter most to help maintain water systems. You can see their progress .
91影视 provides the opportunity to donate to Water For People through a as well as through in Canada and the US. It is my hope that for today, as we Imagine a Day Without Water, we take a moment to reflect on how having this critical resource enables us to live and give back to communities in need.