World Water Day – March 22

World Water Day
February 20, 2025
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The Importance of Freshwater!

Did you Know: The amount of freshwater needed to survive varies according to health, activity level, and climate. Harvard Medical School states that most people need about four to six cups of water each day.

image of a faucet with a water droplet with words saying Protect our water - World Water Day March 22! important for protecting freshwaterEvery Year, World Water Day is observed on March 22. This day celebrates water, especially freshwater; plain and simple, water is life! The United Nations has been observing this day since 1993. The goal is to raise awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe freshwater worldwide.

Although water covers about 71% of the Earth, only 3% of it is fresh! The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has detailed information about the distribution on, in, and above the Earth—lots of wonderful information!

This year’s theme for World Water Day is Save Our Glaciers.

 

Did you Know: Glaciers and ice caps cover almost 10 percent of the world’s land mass(You can find detailed information about this at USGS)?

Why Should We (here in Montgomery County, Maryland) Care about Glaciers?

Glaciers are key to life. As they melt, glaciers provide fresh water for:

  • agriculture
  • drinking,
  • industries,
  • energy production, and
  • overall healthy ecosystems

Today, as Earth becomes hotter, glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, as displayed in various graphs at NASA’s site. As the glaciers melt, they cause uncertainties and impact the entire planet.

Everyone can take small steps in their everyday habits to help reduce emissions that cause the Earth to heat up. How? Learn how BIG Change starts small at the Montgomery County, MD Climate Smart Page, and take the pledge to be climate smart!

How are we observing World Water Day? 

Image providing information about Montgomery County World Water Day on March 22, 2025 from 11am to 3pm to provide information about protecting freshwater.

Here in Montgomery County, MD, World Water Day is an opportunity to share information about how to protect our local waters—rivers and streams—because that is Montgomery County, MD’s primary source of drinking water.

In addition, we are taking the opportunity to share local resources and county-related programs with the community.

Several partners are working together to provide an educational, fun-filled day, including a piñata exhibit, fishing for kids under 16 years old, nature walks, and lots of information from community organizations. We hope you can join us!

When: Saturday, March 22, 2025

Time: 11am to 3pm

Where: Wheaton Regional Park – 2000 Shorefield Road, Silver Spring, MD 20902

List of activities:

  • 11am to 3pm – Fishing opportunity for kids under 16 – Courtesy of Maryland Department of Natural Resources
  • 11:30am – Nature Walk – Courtesy of Defensores de la Cuenca
  • 1pm – 1st raffle
  • 1:30pm – 2nd taffle
  • 2pm –  Breaking of the piñata and final raffle
  • 2:30pm – Operation Ants – everyone helps cleaning up after the festivities – we all do our part to protect our local rivers and streams!

Event partners include:

Additional exhibitors