Groundwater − Making the invisible visible
17/03/2022
Groundwater is invisible, but its impact is visible everywhere. Out of sight, under our feet, groundwater is a hidden treasure that supports our lives.
With the theme "Groundwater − Making the invisible visible", World Water Day 2022 (22 March) is an opportunity to recognize the critical role of groundwater and call for its protection from pollution and sustainable use, balancing the needs of people and the planet.
Browse through a selection of FAO publications to know more on these topics.
The UN World Water Development Report (WWDR)
The 2022 edition of the UN WWDR, titled “Groundwater: Making the invisible visible”, describes the challenges and opportunities associated with the development, management and governance of groundwater throughout the world.
The State of the World's Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture (SOLAW) 2021: Systems at breaking point – Synthesis report
This report highlights the major risks and trends related to land and water and presents means of resolving competition among users and generating multiple benefits for people and the environment. Available in all official UN languages as well as in a device-friendly format. Full report available in 2022.
Water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) and wastewater management to prevent infections and reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
This brief presents a menu of actions for consideration and refinement in specific country contexts as well as policy options and technical resources to support national action plans.
Global assessment of soil pollution – Summary for policymakers
World soil health is under pressure from erosion, loss of soil organic carbon and biodiversity, pollution, and salinization. This summary explores the nature and multiple sources of soil contaminants, their impact on soil health and functioning, as well as the consequences of soil pollution on environmental and human health. The report includes an assessment of the regional soil pollution scenario and summarizes some of the best available technologies for managing and remediating polluted soils. Full report available in a device-friendly format.
WaPOR, remote sensing for water productivity publications
A collection of assessments produced under the WaPOR project, FAO’s portal to monitor Water Productivity through Open-access of Remotely sensed derived data, that assists countries in monitoring water productivity, identifying gaps, proposing solutions to reduce these gaps and contributing to a sustainable increase of agricultural production.
Further reading
- The FAO action plan on antimicrobial resistance 2021-2025
- Smart Irrigation – Smart WASH: solutions in response to the pandemic crisis in Africa
- The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) 2020
- Progress on change in water-use efficiency - Global status and acceleration needs for SDG indicator 6.4.1
- Progress on level of water stress - Global status and acceleration needs for SDG indicator 6.4.2
- Sustainable management of freshwater resources for food and nutrition security in Small Island Developing States
- The AquaCrop model – Enhancing crop water productivity
- Circular sanitation economies for more resilient and sustainable food systems - Future proofing agriculture systems
- Can water productivity improvements save us from global water scarcity? – WASAG white paper
- Thinking ahead: Drought resilience and COVID-19 – WASAG working group on drought preparedness
- Nature-based solutions in agriculture: Sustainable management and conservation of land, water and biodiversity
- Nature-based solutions in agriculture: The case and pathway for adoption
- Nature-Based Solutions for agricultural water management and food security
Additional resources
