‘A Question of Quality: ’ World Water Day 2010

• Julien Katchinoff

World Water Day 2010, dedicated to the issue of water quality, points to a challenge that is often omitted from the scarcity debate. Today, through a variety of global events, publications, and speeches, a large coalition of organizations, companies, and institutions will underline the importance of healthy ecosystems and water quality necessary for human well-being.



A participating partner in this initiative, the National Geographic Society, has made its special issue on water, Water: Our Thirsty World, available for free online. After registration, readers may find the following stories interesting:



“Water is Life” – Barbara Kingsolver

“The Big Melt” – Brook Larmer

“Sacred Waters” – John Stanmeyer

“The Burden of Thirst” – Tina Rosenberg

“Silent Streams” – Douglas H. Chadwick

“California’s Pipe Dreams” – Joel K. Bourne, Jr.

“Parting the Waters” – Don Belt

“The Last Drop” – Elizabeth Royte



Photo Credits: “Rural water pump near Ulundi, South Africa” Photo: Flickr User Trevor Samson, World Bank Photo Collection