Fresh water is a major focus of daily life in the village. Access to clean drinking water is directly related to reduction in poverty. World-wide over 2 billion people are affected by water scarcity. In 2010 the United Nations recognized a human right to drinking water. This is an important step because there is often a conflict between human need versus commercial or agricultural water consumption.
It is also important to remember that clean water is a finite resource on our planet, and a resource that is particularly threatened by climate change. We don't think about it much in Ithaca, but when you live in an area with no precipitation for 9 - 10 months of the year, it is always in your mind.