The United Nations dedicated March 22 as World Water Day in 1993. Since then, nonprofits, individuals and businesses across the globe have devoted today to learning about the resource, raising awareness, and taking action for its sustainable management, restoration, and protection.

In honor of the 24^th year, we’ve prepared a collection of 24 lesser-known facts about this invaluable resource.

The Freshwater Trust’s hopes for this day are two-fold. First, that you’ll read through these facts, find one or two that resonate with you, and share them widely. Then, make a donation to keep The Freshwater Trust working for water every single day.

As the facts attest, water impacts every sector of the economy. Neither product nor living thing survives without. With your support, The Freshwater Trust develops and implements innovative solutions as powerful and holistic as water itself.

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Availability:

• More than half the waterways in the United States are considered impaired under the Clean Water Act.
• Of the 71% of water on Earth, less than 2% is fresh and accessible.
• Over the last 50 years, the global population has more than doubled. By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population may face water shortages.
• By 2030, the global demand for water is expected to grow by 50%.
• There is more water in our atmosphere than in all of our rivers combined.

Drinking water:

• Tests of nearly 2,000 water suppliers in the United States serving over 6 million people in all 50 states found excessive and harmful amounts of lead.
• One third of what the world spends on bottled water in one year could pay for projects providing water to everyone in need.

Fish & wildlife:

• More than 100,000 species rely on freshwater ecosystems.
• 90% of the global freshwater catch comes from ecosystems that are stressed by “above average” pollution, dam building, and invasive species.
• More than 20% of the world’s known freshwater fish species have become extinct.