World Water Day

One month before Earth Day, it's World Water Day, in honor of potable water from our planet's freshwater rivers and lakes. Do you know where your city's drinking water originates? Check out this interactive Water Source map from The Nature Conservancy and share it with your kids, if you have them.

In the U.S., we are so fortunate to have safe drinking water running out of our taps (although I personally filter my water for chlorine, fluoride and other chemicals before drinking it). According to the folks at Water.org, close to one billion people around the globe lack access to safe water and 2.5 billion do not have improved sanitation. 

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reports that radioactive materials from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant are contaminating Japan's food and water supply. Several nearby countries, including China and Georgia, have donated drinking water supplies to Japan, even as the government insists that most tap water still remains safe.

Last week, some jokester with a warped sense of humor sent out a hoax email supposedly from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, warning Californians that our skies are pouring down acid rain. This is most assuredly not the case, say the experts.