Walk for Water and World Water Day 2012

In recognition of World Water Day 2012, the City of Bellingham Public Works Department will host the 4th Annual Walk for Water on Sunday, March 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year the theme is Food and Water Security, and the free, family-friendly event will highlight local and global water and food sustainability education.

Walkers are invited to join city staff and gather at 11 a.m. at the Fairhaven Village Green to follow South Bay Trail through Boulevard Park to Depot Market Square. The 2.3 mile Walk For Water symbolizes the distance women and children across the world frequently travel to collect water for household use. Participants are encouraged, but not required, to carry jugs of water as they walk. Water facts and information will also be posted on signs along the route. The first 100 walk participants to finish will receive a free stainless-steel water bottle or recycled grocery shopping tote.

From 12-2pm organizations working locally on water and food related issues will offer displays and information at the Depot Market Square. A musician, food carts, and fun water and food activities will be available.

The Food and Water Security theme encourages participants to find out how water - quality and quantity - impacts the local food we eat. “Many of us understand the importance of having enough safe water to meet our daily needs for drinking bathing, and cooking. This amount to 65-101 gallons per person per day,” said Anitra Accetturo, Water Conservation Program Coordinator and organizer of the event. “But what many of us don’t know is the quantity of water it takes to grow the lettuce, tomato, bun, and beef in the burgers we eat. One burger alone takes 634 gallons of water to produce! This is the water use that is most often not thought of, and we want to present that information and what it means to us locally.” 

This is the fourth year the City has participated in honoring World Water Day, established by the United Nations in 1992, and observed around the globe.

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Media Contact:
Anitra Accetturo, Water Conservation Program Coordinator,
Public Works Department
360-778-7732
aaccetturo@cob.org