Clean drinking water is vital for human survival, yet a staggering 2.2 billion people worldwide don’t have access to it. Meanwhile, 3.5 billion lack safe sanitation, increasing the risk of disease and threatening public health.
World Water Day highlights these issues, celebrates the value of water, and raises awareness about the urgent need for change.
Join us as we explore World Water Day, learn about this year’s theme, and find meaningful ways to support the fight for water equity at home, work, and school.
What is World Water Day?
World Water Day began in 1993 to raise awareness about water scarcity, encourage sustainable water use, and support the fundamental human right to clean water and sanitation.
The event is a global initiative led by UN-Water for the United Nations (UN), with many major organisations, including World Vision, participating each year to push for change.
When is World Water Day?
World Water Day is observed annually on 22nd March.
World Water Day themes
Each year, the event centres on a specific theme to address a key water-related concern.
Previous themes include:
- 2024: Leveraging Water for Peace
- 2023: Accelerating Change
- 2022: Groundwater
- 2021: Valuing Water
- 2020: Water and Climate Change
- 2019: Leaving No One Behind
- 2018: The Answer is in Nature
- 2017: Why Waste Water?
- 2016: Better Water, Better Jobs
- 2015: Water and Sustainable Development
So, what’s the focus for 2025?
World Water Day 2025
The theme for World Water Day 2025 is Glacier Preservation.
What are glaciers, and why are they important?
Glaciers are part of the water cycle and serve as a vital source of freshwater for ecosystems and communities. They are massive rivers of ice and snow that slowly move over land and gradually release meltwater. This meltwater feeds rivers and lakes.
Beyond water supply, glaciers play a key role in regulating the Earth’s climate. They help control global temperatures by reflecting solar radiation into space, acting as a natural cooling system. Glaciers also influence the carbon cycle and distribute essential nutrients across the planet.
However, glaciers are melting at an alarming rate. In 2023 alone, they lost over 600 gigatons of water — the most significant mass loss recorded in 50 years. As glaciers shrink, water flows get disrupted. This contributes to rising sea levels and raises the risk of floods, droughts, and landslides, putting millions of lives at risk.
Glacier preservation is critical, but by taking global action, we can slow climate change and manage meltwater more effectively. These measures will help prevent natural disasters and protect freshwater supplies for future generations.
What’s happening on World Water Day 2025?
The UN has named 2025 the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation in alignment with the theme of World Water Day. To mark this occasion, a joint event will take place in New York on 21st March 2025, celebrating World Water Day and the first-ever World Day for Glaciers.
A UN World Water Development Report will be launched at the event, providing key insights and policy recommendations for global water and glacier preservation. The gathering will unite international leaders and experts to drive action on these critical issues.
World Water Day facts
Discover all there is to know with these bonus World Water Day facts.
- World Water Day is one of the world’s largest international days, alongside Human Rights Day, International Women’s Day, and the International Day of Peace.
- Each year, the UN publishes its World Water Development Report for World Water Day — its flagship publication on global water and sanitation concerns.
- The day directly supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.
- It encourages people and organisations to host and participate in events that promote water conservation, accessibility, and sustainability.
How to celebrate World Water Day
Raise awareness about World Water Day and the global water crisis by taking action at home, work, and school.
Celebrating World Water Day as a family
Participate in World Water Day at home by:
- discussing the importance of water conservation with your family
- implementing water-saving practices like fixing leaks, taking shorter showers, collecting rainwater, and turning off the tap while brushing your teeth
- learning about global water issues and glacier conservation
- planning a family water-saving challenge
- donating to organisations and charities that support clean water access.
Celebrating World Water Day as a business
Businesses play a key role in promoting World Water Day. As an employer, you can contribute by:
- raising awareness of water scarcity and conservation through internal campaigns
- implementing water-saving strategies, like installing low-flow taps and dual-flush toilets, using appliances only when fully loaded, and monitoring water consumption
- conducting regular leak inspections to prevent water waste
- exploring water recycling systems to enhance sustainability efforts.
Celebrating World Water Day at school
World Water Day presents a fantastic opportunity to teach pupils about water and water conservation. Here are some fun and educational activities to help students explore these themes.
Watch a documentary
Show a documentary like David Attenborough’s Blue Planet to help children learn about oceans, water cycles, and how important water is for life on Earth.
Plan a school trip
Plan a trip to a water treatment plant where students can discover how water is purified for drinking, the water cycle, and the importance of water conservation. Alternatively, a trip to an aquarium can show how many species depend on water to survive, deepening their understanding of aquatic ecosystems.
Keep a water diary
Ask pupils to track their daily water consumption, noting all the water they drink and use. How much water did they drink? How long did they spend in the shower or bath? Did they turn off the tap while brushing their teeth? How often did they wash their hands or flush the toilet? This will help raise awareness of personal water consumption.
Demonstrate the water cycle
Teach about the water cycle with books, discussions, and hands-on activities. Use a bowl, mug, cling film, rubber band, and some water to create a mini water cycle demonstration. Place the bowl in a sunny spot, fill it with water, put the mug in the water, and cover the bowl with cling film. Watch as the water evaporates, condenses, and returns as “rain.”
Plan water-themed art projects
Encourage students to create diagrams or posters on the water cycle, water conservation tips, or the global need for clean water.
Engage in water play
Let students explore water’s various properties through fun activities. They can float objects, blow bubbles, and test solubility by mixing different substances with water.
You might enjoy our article on reducing school water waste for further reading.
