This week, August 17-23, 2008, World Water Week is well under way. Held in Stockholm leaders from around the world unite to strategize on ways in which the global community can work together on capacity-building, partnership-building and follow-up on the implementation of international processes and programs in water and development. This year's theme is; “Progress and Prospects on Water: For a Clean and Healthy World”
While having access to clean water is a major concern, for many just accessing any water at all is a strenuous burden. Imagine walking for miles once or twice a day, to collect water, then having to carry a 5 gallon bucked on your head the long journey home. The task of water collection is not only time consuming, but strenuous as those who bare the heavy loads are most often women and children, often causing injury or permanent
Products like the Hippo Roller and Life Straw, are both inventive and practical, and while they are cost efficient, distribution of such devices and the many other products and programs are greatly needed to see that the access to clean and potable water is something that will no longer be a struggle for any man, woman or child. However, while the global community has made significant strides there is a long way to go in seeing that everyone has access to sustainable water solutions, and global investments need substantial increases if we are to see an improvement to not only access to water supplies, but awareness, prevention and the eradication of many water borne diseases, there are many inventive solutions taking foot.