World Water Week 2025 – How and why to save water

World Water Week 2025 is a vital time to discuss why saving water matters. Water is essential for life, shaping landscapes, supporting ecosystems, and sustaining communities. Despite its abundance, clean, safe water is not accessible to everyone. As we celebrate World Water Week, let’s reflect on the importance of water conservation—not just for ourselves, but for millions globally who struggle daily to access clean, safe water.

At One Water, we are passionate about both water and people. Every bottle of One Water helps raise funds for The One Foundation, a charity dedicated to providing clean water to those in need. This World Water Week, join us in our mission to protect water and change lives.

The Global Water Crisis

Water is essential for life, yet millions around the world still lack access to it. Beyond being a prerequisite for good health, water contributes to livelihoods, school attendance, dignity, and community resilience. Sadly, over 3 million people die each year from waterborne diseases, most of whom are children under five years old. Lack of access to safe water traps families in poverty, as they must spend hours collecting water instead of working or attending school.

Significant progress has been made in Water, Hygiene, and Sanitation (WASH) over the past 25 years. Since 2000, 2.1 billion people have gained access to safely managed drinking water, and 2.5 billion have gained access to sanitation. However, 703 million people globally still do not have access to clean water near their homes, and 1.5 billion lack basic sanitation services.

Nowhere is this crisis more evident than in Africa, where water scarcity is a harsh reality for many communities. Women and children often bear the brunt of this crisis, walking long distances to collect water, which is sometimes contaminated. This not only poses health risks but also limits their educational and employment opportunities, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and hardship.

A global challenge

While Africa faces severe water challenges, this problem is not confined to one region. In Asia, nearly 500 million people still lack access to safe water, with many more relying on intermittent supplies or contaminated sources. Latin America and the Middle East are also grappling with dwindling freshwater resources due to climate change, overuse, and pollution.

Globally, water scarcity affects 40% of the population, and this figure is expected to rise. Even in developed nations, aging infrastructure and contamination issues show that water challenges are a global concern that demands immediate attention.

Every drop matters

Every drop of water saved is a step towards alleviating this global crisis. Water conservation is not just about reducing our water bills or protecting the local environment; it’s about ensuring a sustainable future for everyone. By making conscious choices, we can support the equitable distribution of clean, safe water worldwide.

How you can make a difference

Here are some impactful ways to contribute to water conservation and help fight the global water crisis:

Educate yourself and others: Understand the gravity of the water crisis and spread awareness. Share information with friends, family, and your community about the importance of water conservation and the global challenges many face.

Support clean water initiatives: Choose brands that prioritise water conservation and donate to clean water charities like The One Foundation. Your support directly contributes to efforts that bring clean water to communities in need.

Reduce water waste: Simple actions like taking shorter showers, fixing leaky taps, and using water-saving devices can make a big difference. Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save up to 12 litres of water.

Advocate for change: Encourage governments to invest in sustainable water infrastructure and support international efforts to address water scarcity.

Contribute financially or volunteer: Donate to organisations providing clean water solutions, or volunteer to help raise awareness and funds for these efforts.

Simple tips to reduce water use

Take shorter showers: Set a timer or play a short song to limit shower time. Each minute saved can conserve up to 9.5 litres of water.

Fix leaks: Repair dripping taps, leaky pipes, and running toilets immediately. Even small drips add up over time.

Use water-saving devices: Install low-flow shower heads, taps, and dual-flush toilets to reduce water usage without compromising performance.

Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth: This simple action can save up to 12 litres of water each time.

Use dishwashers efficiently: Run dishwashers only when full to use less water than hand washing.

Reuse water: Reuse excess water for other purposes, like watering plants or cleaning. Collect rainwater in a water butt or place a bucket in your shower to capture cold water as you wait for it to warm up.

How One Water is making a difference

At One Water, we believe access to clean water is a fundamental human right. That’s why a portion of every purchase supports clean water projects globally. Your support helps fund initiatives in communities that need it most. But our commitment goes beyond donations; our B Corp certification acknowledges that we prioritise sustainability to minimise our environmental impact.

Our projects have already made a significant impact, providing clean water to over 5 million people, improving health outcomes, reducing waterborne diseases, and offering better opportunities for women and children than simply walking for water. Every bottle of One Water you purchase helps more people gain access to safe, clean drinking water.

Join us this World Water Week

This World Water Week, make every drop count. Water is a shared resource, and its conservation requires collective effort. By making conscious choices and supporting initiatives that promote equitable water distribution, we can contribute to a future where no one goes thirsty. Together, we can create a ripple effect of positive change, one drop at a time.