World Water Day: CH2M HILL challenge builds awareness of water, food security

• CH2M HILL employees and friends pledge to reduce global water footprint on March 22

DENVER, CO, March 21, 2012 -- As part of CH2M HILL's (www.ch2mhill.com) 2012 United Nations Water World Water Day celebrations, the firm took the opportunity to build awareness of the increasing demands placed on water for energy and food production by challenging CH2M HILL employees, friends, family and clients to pledge to reduce their water footprint on World Water Day, March 22.

For every pledge made, CH2M HILL committed to donating $1 to Water For People to help support its vision of a world where all people have access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Since 1993, March 22 as been designated by the United Nations as World Water Day, a day designed to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. This year's theme is "Water and Food Security."

In total, 625 individuals from around the globe responded to the challenge, which the firm promoted for one week through social media and employee newsletters. The resulting pledges will curb water usage on March 22 by 156,812.5 gallons and provide a $625 dollar donation to Water For People.

"Whether it is through helping our clients better manage their water resources, focusing on how our own firm uses water, or how our employees protect water resources in their own personal lives, our commitment to water sustainability continues in communities around the globe," said Bob Bailey, CH2M HILL Water Business Group President. "It's great to see so many people stepping up to pledge to curb their water use, and is a great way to demonstrate that even small changes can make a big difference in our impact on freshwater supplies."

As a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Water Security, Bailey is working to address the threat water insecurity poses to the economic development and security of numerous countries.

"With population doubling over the next 20 years, stronger demands will be placed on water in energy and food production as well as general potable usages. More demands and stress on our water and land resources will drive food costs higher," shares Bailey. "The World Economic Forum projects that if we stay at the current rate, where 1 billion people do not have access to adequate food and nutrition, by 2025 that number will double. By 2030, 55 percent of the world's people will depend on food exports, mostly due to insufficient local water supplies."

CH2M HILL is working with clients around the globe to tackle their water challenges. The firm is helping municipalities and industries address the energy water nexus by finding a balance and conserving both resources. As a firm, CH2M HILL is committed to curbing its own water usage. The company has pledged to assess its water use, set targets related to water conservation and wastewater treatment, seek and invest in new technologies, include water sustainability considerations in business decision-making, and partner with clients to improve water management within its organizations.

CH2M HILL also advocates for water sustainability by working with national, regional and local governments and public authorities on public water policies and issues. CH2M HILL is committed to working with people in its communities, as well as around the world, to develop safe, sustainable drinking water systems and to encourage conservation and water reuse. The firm recently launched WaterMatch to further facilitate water reuse opportunities around the globe.

CH2M HILL's 2012 World Water Day challenge also shows how heartily committed its employees are to conserving their water use and making clean water and sanitation accessible to people around the world.

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