A cool, clean drink of water

In the U.S., we often take clean water for granted. Turn on the tap and - ta-da! - drinkable H₂O. But across huge swaths of the planet, it's not that simple.

According to the United Nations, 2.6 billion people - that's 41% of the global population - lack access to clean water.

That's why the U.N. has set aside March 22 as World Water Day, which calls on governments and individuals to recognize how crucial water is to our health, economy, and environment.

While the numbers can be staggering - 6,000 children die each day from diseases that could have been prevented by having access to clean water and sanitation - the solutions are surprisingly simple.

A mere one-dollar investment in providing access to clean water will return seven dollars in economic productivity, because people don't get sick, don't miss work and school, and live longer.

Folks like you and I can help those in the developing world get access to sanitation.

One way is through the Give PŪR® Water campaign. For every P&GbrandSAVER® coupon you redeem during March and April 2008, Procter & Gamble will donate one liter of safer, cleaner drinking water to needy children in developing countries. Look for these coupons in your Sunday newspaper.

You can also give directly to a nonprofit like WaterAid America, which works in communities around the world to build clean water systems. A donation of just $30 can train a mason to build latrines in Nepal, while a contribution of $120 can buy a rope-pulley water pump in Uganda.

You can also donate your time, either in person or online, through WaterPartners International, a nonprofit group that helps provide safe drinking water and sanitation around the world. It also works with U.S. schools to raise awareness, create unique fundraisers, and inspire the next generation to help the planet.

On March 22, you can participate in live or virtual water marches sponsored by Starbucks. In New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas, and other cities, people will walk miles to draw attention to water issues. These marches are inspired by the 3-6-mile journey women and children in many countries make every day just to get water.