For more than 30 years, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) has celebrated National Drinking Water Week, recognizing the crucial role that a safe, reliable water supply plays in our everyday lives. This year, National Drinking Water Week will be held May 2-8, and will provide an opportunity for both water professionals and community citizens to promote awareness. The AWWA has suggested some general celebration ideas. To jumpstart the effort, we have also compiled a list of some of our favorite ways to celebrate.
#10 – Update your Facebook Status
Nowadays, social media is one of the most used ways to promote awareness surrounding any cause. You’d be surprised at how far a simple Facebook status update can go, especially if enough people participate. Alert your friends, create groups, and use this platform to organize events related to water awareness.
#9 – Watch a Movie
Not just any movie. Last week, we compiled a list of five must-watch water movies, all of which take an in-depth look at water issues that plague many people around the world. Invite some friends over and pop some popcorn. And instead of soda, drink water.
#8 – Go Camping
Celebrate alone or with friends in the wilderness. A closer look at nature will remind us of how crucial water is to our world – to the survival of plants and animals, and to the sustenance of our beautiful environment. Make sure you have access to clean drinking water while you’re in the woods. This Katadyn MyBottle Personal Water Purifier will keep you hydrated on those long hiking trails.
#7 – Plant a Tree
After your camping trip, why not bring some of that nature home with you by planting a tree in honor of National Drinking Water Week. According to a recent article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, trees are natural filters that play a key role in purifying our water supplies. Your tree will serve as a reminder of the necessity of clean water to environmental sustenance.
#6 – Set up a Mall Kiosk
Call your local shopping mall and get permission to set up a mall kiosk for the entire week. Use it as an opportunity to promote awareness by handing out pamphlets and other promotional materials. You could also sell reusable water bottles and donate the proceeds to organizations that fund the creation of clean water supplies around the world.
#5 – Have a water gift exchange
Don’t wait until Christmas to have your next employee party. Have one during National Drinking Water Week and include a gift exchange with “water” as the theme, where each person brings a “water-related” gift.
#4 – Host a water tasting
Instead of a wine tasting, why not do a water tasting using water from different sources – pitcher-filtered water, faucet-filtered water, tap water and even different bottled water brands. See if you can taste any differences.
#3 – Contests
AWWA suggests a variety of contests for kids, including book cover art, poster, essay, and coloring contests. Each of these can serve as educational tools, and prizes will motivate more kids to compete.
#2 – Host a Water Walk in Your Community
There are many annual walking events that promote awareness and raise money to find cures for diseases. Why not host a water walk to promote awareness about water, and raise money to fund the building of clean water supplies around the world?
#1 – Boycott the bottle
You may think we’re biased, but this is our personal favorite way to celebrate. Maybe you don’t have time to do any of the other things that we mentioned. That’s okay. You can do your part by simply drinking filtered water for the entire week. Once you see how much money you save by not buying bottled water, you’ll never go back.
Any other ideas? We’d love to hear them. Feel free to post them as comments below, and don’t forget to take our latest poll: “How will you celebrate National Drinking Water Week?”
