Today (22 March) is World Water Day. Initiated by the  United Nations, World Water Day highlights the importance of freshwater and promotes global awareness. Today 2.1 billion people on the planet do not have access to safe drinking water – the UN aims that by 2030 everyone will be able to drink good water.

In a UN survey, Mongolia currently ranks in the middle of the list of countries in the world by per capita water consumption, access and the hygiene of drinking water. The survey shows that people who live in apartments use 140-160 liters of water a day, while the residents of the ger districts which surround the Mongolian capital use 7-10 liters of water a day.

In mountainous regions, water resources are sufficient. But in some desert areas, underground sources can account for 80 percent of total water consumption.

Around 30 percent of Mongolia’s population has access to the water supply system. About 25 percent of the population receives water from the water transportation service, over 35 percent gets water from water supply points and less than 10 percent uses water from springs, rivers and snow water.