World Water Day Forum and Exposition Set for March 22

This Year’s theme: Water for Cities, Responding to the Urban Challenge

SEATTLE —More than one billion people around the world are compelled to use potentially harmful sources of water, an underlying factor in many of the 10 million child deaths every year.

Those startling facts are among many concerning the lack of access to safe drinking water that will be the focus of a World Water Day Forum and Exposition, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, March 22, at Seattle City Hall.

Representatives from organizations involved in international drinking water projects and programs will be present. Seattle Public Utilities programs including the Water Quality Laboratory, conservation programs and Restore Our Waters along with the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program “Medicine Take Back Program” will also have representatives at the free and open to the public event.

“Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge” is the theme for this year’s World’s Water Day event. Sponsored by United Nations Water since 1995, World Water Day is held to draw attention to the lack of safe water and adequate sanitation and the fact that increased urbanization is placing an enormous strain on existing water and sanitation infrastructure.

Jan Willem Rosenboom, Global Development, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will discuss the foundation’s work in water supply and sanitation, during a Noon program. A senior program officer, Rosenboom has more than 25 years in international development and specializes in sustainability, sanitation marketing and drinking water safety.

In addition to providing a reliable water supply to more than 1.3 million customers in the Seattle metropolitan area, SPU provides essential sewer, drainage, solid waste and engineering services that safeguard public health, maintain the City’s infrastructure and protect, conserve and enhance the region's environmental resources.