THE DAY is being celebrated under the theme, "Water for Development" and aims to enforce a message from the United Nation's Atomic Energy Agency that "water is essential to life - not just human life but the life of our planet as well".
The day, celebrated March 22 each year, is also aimed at discussing issues relating to drinking water supplies and increasing awareness about conserving, preserving and protecting water resources, especially in the face of diminishing fresh water supplies worldwide.
According to the Water Resources Authority which is organising local observances, the focus this year is to emphasize the link between water and development as officials try to promote sustainable development.
Officials also plan to use the day to outline the challenges facing those who want to protect the resources and will raise issues of improving water management through today's launch of activities such as a Water Management plan upgrade project, various essay competitions, mini-exhibitions and plant tours at the National Water Commis-sion and seminars at Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Dunn's River, starting at 10 a.m.
One seminar, entitled, "Water...What would you do without it?", organised by Sandals Negril Beach Resort and Spa in Westmoreland, is to be held at Beaches Sandy Bay.
Official sources such as the Caribbean Environmental Health Institute say that only one per cent of world's water resources may be used by humans.
In addition, while a global view shows that the Caribbean region is relatively well-endowed with water resources and so is not yet affected by global fresh water shortage, regional media reports said that current predictions indicate that Caribbean's per capita water availability will shrink to half by the year 2025.
