Literature Project #40 W. K. Auden 'Water'

40 days into my year long daily Literature project. Without clean water life dies and oh so often we take it for granted, those of us in the more affluent countries of this world who have fish clean water coming out of our taps even buy it in bottles while others have to walk miles in the hope of finding clean water to carry back to where they live. We in the UK spend billions a year buying bottled water (I have calculated that my annual spending on this is about £420 per annum). For some it is for medical reasons, as it is for my wife because of the medication she has to take, for others it is merely a preference as it is for me! This leads me to ask myself an uncomfortable question "What would the effect be on those communities who do not have good access to clean water if I cut out my personal consumption of bottled water and donated the savings to the charity 'Water Aid'? It would probably amount to at least £365 a year—£1 day! Makes you think doesn't it.

As W. H. Auden wrote:

"Water is the soul of the Earth."

[Casablanca]

Interesting challenge. I drink mostly tap water, but I do have a penchant for Volvic given half a chance. Just tastes so fresh and clean.

[Andrew-Bede Allsop]

@casablanca That's the moral dilemma: my preference verses so many lives lost across the world for want of clean water and proper sanitation!

[Casablanca]

@allsop It's a moral maze, isn't it? I have the added layer of needing to trust whichever charity I choose to spend my money on the thing I am sending it for and not on admin or something else. Sally Army are my favourites. They do so much work that I could never do.

[Susan Wakely]

Very thought provoking narrative. I rarely buy bottled water unless abroad and do not like drinking water but if you took it away from me what would I do?
It so easy just to turn the tap on for so many daily functions.

[Suzanne]

We drink tap water in Australia even though it has become ‘the thing’ to drink bottled water. Here in Thailand where we are travelling at the moment the tap water is not so good but I use Aquatabs in a bottle

[PhotoCrazy]

Nice pic!

[Kathy]

We had a few days after the hurricane when I had to boil our water. Tricky, given I had no electricity and my source of fuel was a can of Sterno. I boiled water a cup at a time until I was able to purchase some bottled water. I usually drink water from my spigot. The actor, Matt Damon, is involved in non-profits that try to get clean water to those who need it.