What's at stake

1.1 billion people lack access to water and 2.6 billion lack adequate sanitation services; most of these people live in the poorest countries.

An estimated 80% of people without access to an adequate drinking water source live in sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Asia and Southern Asia.

In 2005, 1.6 million children under age 5 died from the consequences of unsafe water and inadequate hygiene. That's an average of 4,500 every day.

It has been estimated that every individual needs between 20 to 50 litres of water free from harmful contaminants each and every day.

Sanitation coverage in developing countries is only half that of the developed world (49% as compared to 98%).

The vast majority of freshwater is used in agriculture.

Agriculture claims 70% of all the freshwater used by humans - with rice, cotton and sugar among the thirstiest crops of all.

In fact it takes 3,000 to 5,000 litres of water to grow just one kilo of rice.

Population growth alone will push an estimated a further 17 countries, with a projected population of 2.1 billion, into water-short categories within the next 30 years.