World Water Day – March 22

Celebrate World Water Day with leaders and individuals around the globe on March 22. World Water Day has been recognized by the United Nations since 1993 as a time to focus attention on the importance of water, and advocacy for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. This year’s theme is Water and Food security. Learn why “the world is thirsty because we are hungry” and how signing up for a CSA – Community Supported Agriculture – can reduce your water footprint and support your local community.

We often overlook the water used in food growth and production since we don’t necessarily see it on our plates. However, maintaining a national and global food supply requires immense amounts of water. Find out how much water is on your dinner plate by calculating the water footprint of your food consumption. Different foods require different quantities of this vital resource, for example:

•  One slice of bread – 10 gallons
•  One apple – 19 gallons
•  One egg – 36 gallons
•  One cup of coffee – 37 gallons
•  One hamburger – 634 gallons of water

To reduce the water impact of your meals, consider joining a farm with a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program this season. CSAs generally use a fraction of the water consumed by the conventional, large-scale farms that provide the majority of produce available in large grocery stores. Food from CSAs requires less transportation to point of sale and uses less fuel resources. By purchasing a CSA, you can reduce your water footprint, support a local farmer and your community, and know where your food comes from. Locate a farm with a CSA program near you.

Visit World Water Day’s website for more information on how much water scarcity affects our food, how competition for water is increasing, and ways we can reduce and reuse water in food production. Browse LCC’s website for water conservation tips and check out our Lake Protection Pledge for tips on how to protect water quality around your home and community.