Nearly 663 million people around the world do not have access to safe, clean drinking water. The entire human race depends upon 0.007 per cent of the entire planet’s water for its needs. By 2030, half of the world’s population will be living under severe water stress.

To raise awareness around access to and security of the water supply line in Malta, HSBC Bank Malta launched a wide-ranging water conservation initiative in 2013, the three-year HSBC Water Programme – Catch the Drop. The programme aims to forge a blueprint for progress on sustainability of water as a resource.

In the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 scholastic years, the programme delivered a total of 478 presentations, 41 theatre shows, 117 SpongeBob and Frozen shows, 15 drama shows and 32 site visits. It has used various occasions such as the World Water Day, the 400th anniversary of the Wignacourt Aqueduct, Skola Sajf and carnival to throw light on water conservation. Two songs, Water is Life and Catch the Drop, were also launched.

In 2015, the programme also distributed reusable water bottles to students across Malta and Gozo, with expected savings of 382,950 disposable water bottles per year.

During its first two years, the campaign funded at least 60 water conservation projects in schools and councils. The 2015-2016 winners of funding were announced last Friday to coincide with the World Water Day on March 22.