The Issue - The average American uses 40 gallons of water per day. - In a five-minute shower we use 25 to 50 gallons of water. - Over a billion people lack the access to safe drinking water. - The average girl/woman in Nicaragua spends 6 hours a day obtaining water. - The time lost because of long-distance water collection and poor health contributes to poverty and reduced food security. What you can do to conserve water - Run the dishwasher only when full (saves 2-4.5 gallons per load). - Turn off water when brushing teeth (saves 2 gallons per minute). - Shorten showers (saves 2.5 gallons per minute). - Fill the bathtub half full while bathing (saves 15-25 gallons per bath). - Wash only full loads of clothes (saves 15-50 gallons per load).  Fix leaky toilets (saves 30-50 gallons per day per toilet). - Fix leaky faucets (saves 15-20 gallons per day per leak).

Project Concern International (PCI) is proud to introduce its newest event, the San Diego Walk for Water presented by Nika, taking place on World Water Day, March 22, 2009. This 5k walk is inspired by the three-to-six mile journey women and children make every day to obtain water in order to survive in water-stressed countries.

Currently, 1.1 billion people lack access to clean water and sanitation services worldwide. The United Nations reports that 20 percent of the world’s population struggles to gain access to safe drinking water every day. In addition, 2.6 billion people lack access sanitation services, which can cause widespread and life-threatening diseases.

San Diego students, along with families and friends, will walk along De Anza Cove in Mission Bay Park on March 22nd, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Participants will be asked to carry water jugs, simulating the long journey that is all too familiar for women and children around the world, in an effort to provide an educational experience for the walker.

PCI has been working closely with a committee of high school students from La Jolla Country Day School, The Bishop’s School, Francis Parker School, San Diego High School, High Tech High School, the Sudanese Refugee Center and Hoover High School to plan and execute San Diego Walk for Water. We are proud to announce that Nika Water has graciously come aboard as our inaugural presenting partner.