World Water Day 2011: Water for Cities

International World Water Day is held annually on March 22 as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly designated March 22, 1993 as the first World Water Day.

In 2011 the theme, "Water for cities: responding to the urban challenge", draws attention to urban water management. Most of the world's population live in cities, 3.3 billion people, and the urban landscape continues to grow.

38% of the growth is represented by expanding slums, while the city populations are increasing faster than city infrastructure can normally adapt.

The objective of World Water Day 2011 is to focus international attention on the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems.

One of Kemira's goals is adopting a significant role in ensuring the availability and sufficiency of clean water around the world. Chemistry plays a key role in creating alternative ways to recycle and use water more efficiently. The accelerationg water scarcity, stricter legislation and customer-driven streamlining of operations open up opportunities for creating new water applications. Processing fresh water from sea water is one example of Kemira's newest research areas.

Water - Vitally Important

Population growth and the rising standard of living increase water use in households and industries around the world. In many western countries access to safe water is taken for granted. Yet nearly one billion people – about one in eight – lack access to clean water. More than twice that many, 2.5 billion people, lack improved sanitation facilities. This results in waterborne diseases that cause more than 80 percent of illnesses in the developing world.

Water quality is key to human and ecosystem health. There are numerous add-on benefits to improving water quality: improved ecosystems and ecosystem services, improved health, and improved livelihoods. Without water, life would not exist. It is a prerequisite for all human and economic development.

For a long time, Kemira has worked to help produce clean water by developing chemicals and processes dealing with the purification of drinking water as well as wastewater. Every day, nearly 300 million people use water for drinking and washing that was purified using Kemira’s products.