Water, Water Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink

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Every issue of Foreign Policy includes a quiz about one aspect of the world in which we live. This month's quiz was about water. I learned some disturbing facts:

• 37 times countries have fought over water rights.
• The Tibetan plateau supplies water to 47% of the world's population.
• It takes 1,000 liters of water to grow a kilogram of wheat and 15,000 liters to produce a kilogram of beef.
• In developing countries the average girl or woman walks 3.7 miles to fetch water.
• 38% of the world's population do not have access to toilets.
• 80% of illnesses in the developing world can be traced to unsafe water.
• In a Peruvian shantytown a cubic meter of water costs $3.22. Rich neighborhoods pay $.45.
• It takes 3 liters of water to produce 1 liter of bottled water.