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Water

It is the same water that falls from the sky today, that fell from the skies 500 million years ago.  It just keeps going around and around, as it always has.  Remember the water cycle?

Of all the water that constantly cycles around our planet, only 1% is available for us to drink.

The ecological systems that make up our planet have kept our water healthy and strong since the beginning of time.  Human impact was marginal until our population and industries grew, along with increased resource use, waste and pollution.

For the New Zealand Maori people, water is sacred, as it is for many peoples of the world.   It’s no wonder that water is held in such regard giving its essential life-giving properties.   We wouldn’t get very far without clean water.

We need to take action if we want future generations to have access to safe clean, free drinking water.  Take a look at these water facts!

Freshwater ecosystems are essential for the long term protection of our water.  Individual actions that WE take are important to preserve fresh water for the long-term.

Information sources

• NIWA - 'Adequate clean water will be the biggest issue facing the planet this century'.
• Environment Bay of Plenty Regional Council - Find out what’s happening with our local water.
• The Lakes Protection and Restoration Action Programme is a joint partnership between Environment Bay of Plenty, Rotorua District Council, Te Arawa and the greater community to save the Rotorua lakes.
• Nitrogen and phosphate rich water from the surrounding catchment area is the biggest problem facing our lakes.  What can we do to reduce that?  Like all parts of living sustainably, lots of little things YOU do can make the biggest difference... everything is connected!
• Or for a New Zealand site check out this water factsheet.

  There are two sources of water pollution

•   Point source pollution, that’s the stuff that just goes from one point to the other, like a leaking septic tank or a car leaking oil.  This one is easy to identify, and with a bit of commitment from you, easy to do something about.

• Non-point source pollution is a little harder.  This is is a fancy term for polluted runoff.

Resources for kids

• Storm Drain Dan - awesome cartoon coloring book.
• Stormwater Rapids - a great online game taking you on a watery journey.

Learn more about...

• Well-being
• Waste minimisation
• Sustainable transport
• Sustainable business
• Sustainable development
• Sustainable buildings
• Climate change
• Energy efficiency
• Food systems
• Ecosystems
• Forests
• Wetlands
• Consumer information
• Air quality