2022 Lenten Snapshots

Lenten Snapshot #4: World Water Day

Please join the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur as we celebrate World Water Day this week. World Water Day is an annual United Nations Observance that celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2 billion people living without access to safe drinking water including those our Sisters serve in Africa and Latin America. The theme of World Water Day 2022 is Groundwater— Making The Invisible Visible.

Groundwater is water found underground in aquifers, which are geological formations of rocks, sands and gravels (see image at right) that hold substantial quantities of water. Groundwater feeds springs, rivers, lakes and wetlands, and seeps into oceans. Groundwater is recharged mainly from rain and snowfall infiltrating the ground.

Why is groundwater important? Almost all the liquid freshwater in the world is groundwater. Life would not be possible without groundwater. Groundwater supplies a large proportion of the water we use for drinking, sanitation, food production and industrial processes. Groundwater is also critically important to the healthy functioning of ecosystems, such as wetlands and rivers.

Groundwater has always been critically important but not fully recognized. We must protect groundwater from pollution and use it sustainably, balancing the needs of people and the planet.

With your support, we can provide safe, clean drinking water to our Sisters and those they serve!

Making known God’s goodness with you,

Sister Ann Fanella, SNDdeN
Clean Water for Life Volunteer

 P.S. If you'd like additional information about the Clean Water for Life project, please contact Karen Hadden at [email protected]