On March 22, 2025, countries around the globe commemorate World Water Day, a celebration established in 1992 by the United Nations to raise awareness about water resource protection and promote sustainable practices. This year, the focus is on glacier preservation, highlighting their critical role in providing fresh water essential for human survival and ecological health.
Spain enters the observance with significant developments, experiencing unprecedented rainfall throughout March, which has filled reservoirs that were critically depleted since the country entered a drought in December 2022. The Ministry of Ecological Transition reports that the average water level in Spain's reservoirs now exceeds 60%, a noteworthy improvement compared to the past decade, thanks to four consecutive storms: Jana, Konrad, Laurence, and Martinho. However, experts caution that severe droughts are anticipated to become more frequent, underlining the pressing need for water-saving measures.
A recent report titled the 'Informe Clivar-Spain sobre el Clima en España' warns that the 21st century has recorded the highest frequency of severe droughts in Spain over the last 150 years, with projections indicating worsening conditions. With this backdrop, the call for efficient water usage has never been more urgent.
World Water Day serves not only as a reminder of the importance of water conservation but also aims to tackle issues surrounding the millions of people lacking access to safe drinking water. The event will also feature the release of the 2025 edition of the United Nations World Water Development Report at the UN Headquarters in New York. This report will provide policy guidance, reflecting the significance of fresh water management as critical to health, agriculture, energy production, and ecosystem balance.
During this significant occasion, individuals can observe the following tips, informed by various consumer associations and water-related enterprises, to save water and potentially reduce utility bills by up to 30%:
- Check installations: Inspect your plumbing for leaks. Small drips can lead to significant waste over time.
- Shower instead of bathing: A short shower uses about 80 liters of water compared to 150 liters needed for a bath.
- Turn off the tap while brushing: Closing the faucet during teeth brushing can reduce water consumption from 40 liters daily to only three.
- Collect excess water: Use a container to catch water that runs while waiting for it to heat up in the shower; this can be used for watering plants or washing dishes.
- Opt for filtered tap water: Drinking filtered tap water reduces the reliance on bottled water, thereby easing the pressure on aquifers and waste production.
- Use energy-efficient appliances: Machines rated A+ or better can significantly lower both water and electricity consumption.
- Install dual-flush toilets: These allow users to select the necessary amount of water for each flush.
- Add flow regulators: Installing devices on faucets can cut water flow by up to half.
Glaciers critically support the cycle of freshwater supply. Defined as rivers of ice that descend from mountain areas, they serve as a vital resource for drinking water, agriculture, and energy production. Yet, scientists report that glaciers are melting faster than ever due to increasing global temperatures, creating unpredictable water flows that can lead to floods, droughts, and rising sea levels.
At the heart of this year’s World Water Day messaging is a call to action from the UN demanding reductions in greenhouse gas emissions as part of a strategy to slow the melting glaciers and manage meltwater sustainably. "Saving our glaciers is a survival strategy for the planet and its inhabitants," the report emphasizes, highlighting the urgency of protecting these ecosystems against climate change impacts.
Furthermore, the day marks a historical commitment made during the first celebration of World Water Day on March 22, 1993, following the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro. The observance underscores the need to ensure sustainable access to clean water for everyone, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims for universal access to safe drinking water.
The congresswoman Karina Paz participated in events marked around the same time, focusing on women’s access to water in Guatemala. This forum, titled “Mujeres con acceso al agua, desarrollo para Guatemala,” featured discussions on legislation being developed by Guatemala's Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to protect water resources, showcasing the interconnectedness of global water issues.
As water remains the foundation of human health, food security, and ecosystem stability, the calls made this World Water Day extend beyond mere awareness - they urge collective action to ensure this precious resource continues to flow for generations to come. In a world where water scarcity looms as a growing threat, the significance of caring for our water resources and glaciers has never been clearer.
