It's easy to take for granted water and all of the things it brings to our lives. Aside from hydration, water is essential for sanitation—it brings us hot water, the ability to clean ourselves, our food, our living environments. It is essential to our sewage systems. But according to the United Nations, 2.6 billion people live without basic sanitation, and every 20 seconds a child dies from poor sanitation. This is why the UN has made 2008 International Year of Sanitation. To find out more check out the International Year of Sanitation website, which is full of resources from how sanitation is vital for human health and the environment, and how it generates economic benefits and contributes to social development. It also talks about how improving sanitation is achievable. It offers good fodder to think about what you and your community can do to contribute to the International Year of Sanitation.