March 2018

World Water Day, March 22nd!

The 2018 World Water Day theme is Nature for Water: exploring nature-based solutions to the water challenges we face in the 21st century

World Water Day is an international observance and an opportunity to learn more about water-related issues.
- The UN and its member nations devote this day to implementing UN recommendations and promoting concrete activities within their countries regarding the world's water resources.

According to the UN, 1.8 billion people use contaminated drinking water.
Less than 10 countries possess 60% of the world's available freshwater supply.¹
In developing countries, as much as 80% of illnesses are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions.¹
90% of Washington state’s power is generated by hydroelectric dams.²
Surveys from 45 developing countries show that 2/3 of households rely on women to collect drinking water.³
According to the World Health Organization, the global economic return on water spending is US$ 2.0 per US dollar invested.⁴

Seattle University recently invested in water conservation by replacing the showerheads and faucet aerators in the Xavier, Campion, Bellarmine, Murphy, and Chardin residence halls with low-flow fixtures. Initial estimates indicate that SU will reduce 25% or about 4 million gallons of water for residence halls per year!
SU is home to two rain gardens, two green roofs, and a water cistern on campus! Learn where here.
Dorms on campus are equipped with low-flow toilets, urinals, and faucet aerators. Take a campus tour to learn more!
The Admissions & Alumni building is equipped with water cisterns that capture rainwater to irrigate the landscape!
The entrance to the Lemieux Library is actually a series of structures that captures roof runoff which supplies the water used in the upper pool and waterfall features
SU is involved in numerous local and international water projects, check them out!
Check out the Seattle University faculty experts and courses in water.
The Bullitt Center, just a few blocks from campus where CEJS used to be located, is the world's greenest commercial building. It has its own greywater system, rainwater gardens, and composting toilets! Schedule a tour.
No plastic water bottles are sold on campus, so make sure to bring your own reusable water bottle!
Learn more!

Check out the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene projects of the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation and take a free tour of the foundation.
Take a tour of the Washington State Cedar River Watershed.
Check out the removal site of the Elwa River Dam - the largest dam removal project in the country that took place in Washington just two years ago!
The Puget Soundkeeper Alliance works to keep our local waters clean. Volunteer with them and help clean up trash – in a kayak!
The Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition works to clean up the Duwamish Waterway in all aspects. Find out how you can volunteer and contribute to cleaning up this SUPERFUND site.
Check out some of these Seattle Events!
- Participate in the World Water Day 5k and 10k (a virtual race)
- Join a Watershed Naturalist on March 4th, 11th, or 25th for hikes along Rattlesnake or Christmas Lakes!
- Volunteer for Kayak Patrol on Lake Union (gear provided). Opportunities every Wednesday!
- Carry 5 on May 6^th: Carry water for 5 kilometers in solidarity with the 1 billion people who still lack access to clean water.

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