Water for life Dr. Ravi Vadlamani At Rotary International District 9640 Conference Water for life

“What would you do if you are very thirsty?

Drink FOSTER BEER….

“When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water” we know the worth of water” … Benjamin Franklin

“Water is likely to become a growing source of tension and fierce competition between nations”. –Mr. Kofi Annan, UN General Secretary Water for life

Water Facts 1/6 th of world’s population (1.1billion) do not have access to safe drinking water

Today; or any given day half of the people in developing countries are sick because they drink contaminated water

80% of all diseases like cholera, typhoid, worms, trachoma, arsenic poisoning in developing countries are caused by contaminated water

Fortunately most of us will never have to find that out – we just have to turn on the tap to receive a clean, safe supply of fresh water. It’s an old saying, but a true one, “You never miss the well till it runs dry”.

Do not have access to water Over a billion people

1 in 3 People lack SANITATION

Children do not go to school since they have to walk miles to fetch a pail of water.

Safe water and sanitation close to people’s homes have far reaching benefits

which extend way beyond the expected improvements to health and reduction in time spent collecting water.

There are also improvements in education and income.

Families report lower stress levels, increased status and self-esteem.

“Without clean water little else is possible”.

You can’t raise food without water to grow your crops.

You can’t have healthy children without clean water to drink.

You can’t have literacy If your children are ill with water-borne diseases

“Water is Life” if you are thirsty, if you are thirsty, nothing else matters.

Open Wells

Bangladeshi school attendance increases by 15% when water hauling time is reduced.

1% more girls attend school when there are sanitation facilities available offering proper privacy.

Adding one year to the schooling of all adult females in a country increases GDP per capita by around $700.

10% increase in female literacy will increase 10% in life expectancy at birth.

“Ending hunger is the key to opening the way for hundreds of millions of people to grow and develop to their full potential.”

“Many people doubt we can find a permanent solution to world’s hunger problem. Hunger can and must be eradicated.”

“Currently some 300 million children are chronically hungry in the world”

Rotary has found a solution to win the war on hunger..

Provision of irrigation wells for growing crops Provision of irrigation wells for growing crops.

Providing water by Lift Irrigation Schemes

Providing water by Lift Irrigation Schemes

Providing water by Lift Irrigation Schemes

Why Water Management? Prevent diseasesPrevent diseases Prevent pollutantsPrevent pollutants Prevent hazardsPrevent hazards Prevent ecological damagePrevent ecological damage Ensure optimum food grain and agricultural produceEnsure optimum food grain and agricultural produce

Leave a legacy of sustainabilityLeave a legacy of sustainability Improve quality of lifeImprove quality of life Reduce risks due to climatic changesReduce risks due to climatic changes Alleviating povertyAlleviating poverty Greater Hydro power generationGreater Hydro power generation Why Water Management?

Rotarians can make “WATER FOR ALL” their concern “WATER FOR ALL” their concern Campaign Water conservation & preservation. Campaign Water conservation & preservation. Provide hand wells for safe drinking water. Provide hand wells for safe drinking water. Encourage rain water harvesting. Encourage rain water harvesting. Provide wells for irrigation. Provide wells for irrigation. Construct ponds and lakes. Construct ponds and lakes. Construct Lift Irrigation Schemes. Construct Lift Irrigation Schemes.

So what are we going to do about it? (A) Wait and watch (B) Let others do it (C) Let our children suffer (D) Take up Water Management as seriously as Rotary took up Polio

We will do something about it!We will do something about it! YES, Seriously…YES, Seriously…

Past District Governors Rtn Maragaret Hayes Rtn John Tregurtha Rotary International District 9640, Australia