11 Facts About Water Around the World

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1. Water covers around 70% of the Earth’s surface.^[U.S. Geological Survey. "How much water is there on, in, and above the Earth?" U.S. Department of the Interior. Web Accessed May 2, 2015.]
2. The Nile River is the longest river in the world at 4132 miles long.^[Throp, Claire. "The Nile River." New York: Heinemann-Raintree, 2012.]
3. 780 million people lack access to an improved water source — approximately 1 in 9 people.^[World Health Organization and UNICEF. "Progress on sanitation and drinking-water - 2014 update." 2014. Web Accessed May 2, 2015.]
4. 82% of those who lack access to improved water live in rural areas, while just 18% live in urban areas.^[World Health Organization and UNICEF. "Progress on sanitation and drinking-water - 2014 update." 2014. Web Accessed May 2, 2015.]
5. Every minute a child dies of a water-related disease.^[Water.org. "MILLIONS LACK SAFE WATER." Web Accessed May 2, 2015.]
6. Today, a larger number of people own a mobile phone than those who have access to a toilet.^[Kurtz, Annalyn. "In India, more cell phones than toilets." CNN, 2012. Web Accessed May 2, 2015.]
7. People suffering from water-related illnesses fill half of the world's hospital beds.^[The Water Project. "IMPROVING HEALTH IN AFRICA...begins with access to safe Water." Web Accessed May 2, 2015.]
8. 10% of the global disease burden could be reduced with improved water supply. Not only would it increase hydration, but sanitation and hygiene as well.^[Jamison, Dean T. "Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Promotion." World Bank Group, 1993.]
9. Just 33% of what the world spends on bottled water every year would pay to provide clean water for the 780 million without it.^[Natural Resources Defense Council. "Bottled Water." Web Accessed May 2, 2015.]
10. In the world, more than twice the population of the United States lives without access to safe water.^[World Health Organization and UNICEF. "Progress on sanitation and drinking-water - 2014 update." 2014. Web Accessed May 2, 2015.]
11. Safe drinking water in undeveloped areas allows children — especially young girls — the opportunity to go back to school and in turn, fosters economic development.^[U.S. Census Bureau. "International Data Base." 2014. Web Accessed May 2, 2015.]