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Drinking Water Week

Dive into Drinking Water Week – a time to appreciate our most essential resource, and take steps to preserve its purity and accessibility.

Sunday

2–8

May 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEFirst Full Week in May (Sunday to Saturday)

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYAwareness

SUBCATEGORYPublic Health

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Spring into the joy of hydration because Drinking Water Week kicks off on May 5! This week-long celebration first commenced in 1988 when the American Water Works Association and its members wanted to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives. Just think, the human body is about 60% water - it’s practically most of us! From thirst-quenching satisfaction to essential body function, water is truly the unsung hero of our lives. So let's appreciate, preserve and drink up the liquid life during this exciting week! After all, water is the driving force of all nature. Discover and be part of Drinking Water Week this year and make a splash!

TIMELINE

Drinking Water Week Timeline

Inauguration of Drinking Water Week

Drinking Water Week was first initiated by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) to highlight the importance of potable water in our daily lives.

Global Acknowledgement

The United Nations General Assembly designated 22 March as the World Day for Water, echoing the global importance of water resources.

Water For Life Decade

The United Nations launches the International Decade for Action 'Water For Life 2005-2015', focusing on sustainable water usage and development.

Right to Safe Water

The United Nations recognizes access to clean, safe drinking water as a basic human right, underscoring the need for global conversations around clean water resources.

Water and the SDGs

The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 6 aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Water Action Decade

Commemorating the United Nations' Water Action Decade (2018-2028), Drinking Water Week continues to emphasise the importance of sustainable water management.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Drinking Water Week

Hold a water-tasting competition

Gather different brands of bottled water and blindfold your guests. Have them taste each water and rate them from 1-10. This can be a fun way to appreciate the subtle differences in taste between water sources.

CREATE

Create a DIY water filtration system

Research ways to make a simple water filtration system at home. This would be a great illustration of the process our tap water goes through before it gets to us. Remember, the goal isn't to drink the water you filter with your homemade system, but to gain an improved understanding of water treatment!

PROMOTE

Promote proper hydration habits

Spread the importance of drinking enough water daily by starting a challenge amongst your friends, family, or co-workers to see who can meet the recommended 8 glasses a day for the whole week!

VOLUNTEER

Volunteer for a clean-up project

Participate in or organize a local clean-up project, focusing on rivers, lakes, or beaches. It's a great way to contribute directly to preserving the quality of water in your community.

VISIT

Visit a water treatment plant

Take the opportunity this week to visit a local water treatment plant. This would not only be educational, but also a reminder of the importance of keeping our water sources clean and the hard-working people behind it.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why Drinking Water Week is Important

Emphasizes the Importance of Conservation

Drinking Water Week stresses the importance of conservation and protection of our water resources. It encourages active participation in cleanup projects, promoting a sense of community remembrance about what it means to take care of our planet.

Promotes Awareness and Appreciation

Drinking Water Week encourages us to appreciate the importance of clean, safe water in our daily lives. It reminds us that water is not just a thirst quencher, but a crucial resource for our overall health, hygiene, and survival.

Educational and Fun Activities

The week is filled with fun and informative activities such as water-tasting competitions and DIY water filtration systems. These activities allow us to learn more about our water sources and the process they go through before reaching our taps.

Related holidays

MON

Mar 2026

Nature

World Water Day

An environmental advocacy day on March 22 highlighting the importance of freshwater, raising awareness of the global water crisis, and advocating for sustainable water management and access to safe water.

World Water Week

Make a splash during World Water Week! Help preserve our planet's most precious resource and shape a water-wise future.

A Drop of Water is a Grain of Gold

Discover the beauty and importance of water on World Water Day - remember, a drop of water is truly a grain of gold for our planet.

World Water Monitoring Day

Join us in honoring World Water Monitoring Day - do your part and help protect our planet's water sources!

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