Statistics Say It All

One out of every nine people in the world, roughly 780 million, lack access to improved drinking water, and 1.8 billion people drink microbiologically unsafe water. (WHO/UNICEF, 2012) (Onda, et al., 2012)

It is estimated that more than 2.5 billion people globally live without adequate sanitation, accounting for 37% of the world's population. (UN WATER, 2010)

Lack of safe water and adequate sanitation is the world’s single biggest cause of illness. (U.N. Report, 2005)

Waterborne diseases cause the death of more than 1.5 million children each year, which is more than 4,000 children every day.

One dollar invested in water supply and sanitation can provide an economic return of up to 34 times, depending on the region. (UN Report, 2005) (WHO, 2008)

The impact of diarrheal disease on children is greater than the combined impact of human HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. (WHO, 2010)

The provision of improved sanitation and drinking water could reduce the number of diarrheal diseases by nearly 90%. (WHO, 2010)

Each year 443 million school days are lost due to water-related diseases. (UNICEF, 2010) 

The average distance that women in developing countries walk to collect water per day is four miles, and the average weight that women carry on their heads is approximately 44 pounds. (WSSCC, 2004)

The average American uses about 80-100 gallons of water each day, but in developing countries, five gallons can meet the daily water needs of one person. (USGS, 2011) (WHO, 2005)

To learn more, please visit www.watermissions.org today!