Why wastewater?
In the absence of sanitation, 1.8 billion people around the world drink polluted water, causing the death of 842,000 people a year. Urban wastewater disposal and treatment are therefore a major environmental and social challenge as they make it possible to reduce uncontrolled discharges into the environment and limit the spread of disease.
Some figures: in 2017, high-income countries treat 70% of their wastewater. This percentage falls to 38% in upper middle-income countries and 28% in lower-middle-income countries. In low-income countries only 8% of industrial and urban wastewater is treated.
Instead of wasting wastewater, we need to reduce and reuse it. In our homes, we can reuse grey water on our gardens and plots. In our cities, we can treat and reuse wastewater for green spaces. In industry and agriculture, we can treat and recycle discharge for things like cooling systems and irrigation.
“Do what you can, do it with others, and do it with passion.”
Guy Ryder, Chair of UN-water
In order to act together on World Water Day, Veolia Middle East has developped this year a Tool Kit to raise awareness on wastewater, on where it comes from and how it impacts our day to day lives as well as the environment!
The idea is an Interactive activity with a group with different people at each station to give their aspect of Wastewater. Find below the purpose for each station and a brief explanation.
DOWNLOAD the World Water Day Veolia Tool Kit to have all the information to perform the group activity !
Below are all the subjects presented in this Tool Kit:
- Station 1: Veolia & wastewater in the World and in the Middle East
- Station 2: The wasters guide for wastewater
- Station 3: Fun Facts
- Station 4: Impact of Sanitation
- Station 5: Our wastewater impact
- Station 6: What can you do ?