4. About 34,000 people die each day worldwide due to diseases related to water, feces and dirt, such as cholera and infant diarrhea. In developing countries, 80 per cent of illnesses are water related. (Source: Environment Canada)

6. In 2008, about 5 million people were still in need of adequate supplies, while three times more – 15 million people – lacked basic sanitation.

7. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has warned that South Africa will become one of the two driest places on Earth as climate change tightens its grip globally.