Sustainability Spotlight - March 2026 - World Water Day
Every year on March 22, World Water Day is held to stress the importance of clean water. This day of observance was first designated by the United Nations (UN) in 1993, with a specific theme selected each year to spotlight a key issue affecting over 2 billion people that still don’t have access to safe, clean water close to their home. The World Water Day theme for 2026 is Water and Gender.
The three key messages promoted by the UN in support of this year’s theme of Water and Gender are:
1. The global water crisis affects everyone – but not equally. Where people lack the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, inequalities flourish, with women and girls bearing the brunt. It’s time to center women and girls in water solutions.
2. Women must shape the future of water. Water services must withstand climate change and meet everyone’s needs. We need a transformative, rights-based approach to solving the water crisis, where women’s voices, leadership, and agency are fully recognized.
3. Where water flows, equality grows. When women and girls have equal voice in water decisions, services become more inclusive, sustainable, and effective. We must invest in women’s leadership to make water a force for a healthier, more prosperous, gender-equal future that will benefit us all.
Although World Water Day focuses attention on low and middle-income countries worldwide, engagement at multiple levels - such as local and statewide campaigns - can help emphasize the importance of water for everyone, and encourage responsible water behaviors. This thinking hits close to home as we consider the importance of Clear Creek running through the heart of Wheat Ridge, or the watersheds within Colorado that are critical to the livelihoods of so many people.
Please consider supporting women and equality in water access worldwide, as well as making water-wise decisions through your own actions. Let’s all observe World Water Day to connect our local and global communities!
