ATLANTA — More than 40 public, private and non-profit organizations in metro Atlanta were set to gather Tuesday night to talk about what they are doing to address water resources and scarcity on an international, national and regional scale.

“Metro Atlanta is an epicenter of public, private and non-profit groups working on water on a local, national and global scale,” said Sam A. Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. “This is a particularly timely event as Georgia develops its first-ever Comprehensive Statewide Water Plan due in July. We are working in partnership with the state's Environmental Protection Division to develop a fact-based state water plan that ensures that metro Atlanta can continue to grow in a sustainable way.”

Atlanta-headquartered companies also recognize the importance of water conservation. In one example, TOTO-USA (Morrow, Ga. ) is the North American Division of TOTO, Ltd., the world's largest plumbing products manufacturer. TOTO has recently received the first water Efficiency Leaders Award from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and has been at the forefront of development of the “high-efficiency toilet” using only 1.28 gallons per flush, compared to five or more gallons per flush for older toilets.

The World Water Day Atlanta Celebration Reception, scheduled to be held today, March 20, at 6:00 p.m. at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce , was planned to coincide with the celebration of World Water Day across the globe this week.

Atlanta-based organizations and businesses such as CARE, the Coca-Cola Company, the Centers for Disease Control, the Center for Global Safe Water, CIFAL Atlanta (a division of the United Nations), the Rotary Club of Atlanta, and others are actively involved in promoting safe water internationally. Yet almost 1.1 billion people worldwide live without adequate access to water and 2.4 billion without adequate sanitation. 

“At this reception we hope to celebrate successes and highlight existing partnerships among Atlanta-based organizations that address water issues,” said Susan Davis, national water strategist for CARE. She added, “CARE is witnessing the grave impact of climate change on poor communities around the world. Ensuring access to water for all people is one of our highest priorities.”

World Water Day, which will be celebrated across the globe on March 22, will focus on “Co ping with Water Scarcity : Every Drop Counts.” The international observance of World Water Day is an initiative that grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro.

Organizers for this year's Atlanta celebration of World Water Day include: CARE, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Carter Center, the C enters for Disease Control and Prevention, the Center for Global Safe Water (CGSW), CIFAL Atlanta, the City of Atlanta, the Coca-Cola Company, the Georgia Aquarium, the Georgia Association of Water Professionals, the Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Georgia Power, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), Georgia Water Resources Institute, The Home Depot, ignition, Inc. , the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, Millennium Water Alliance, the Pollution Prevention Assistance Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Rotary Club of Atlanta, the Southern Environmental Law Center, Southface Energy Institute, TOTO USA, the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4.

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