Randy Son Of Robert's flickr photostream/ Creative Commons

I don’t know about you, but when I buy whatever it is I’m buying, I’m not often (or, you know, ever) thinking about if the water used in the process of making the thing was sustainable. But, soon enough, that may change.

At the World Water Forum on Tuesday, a plan was unveiled that would create a global standard for water certification which would ensure that products receiving the “Water Stewardship” seal got their water from a sustainable source. Though up until very recently water has been considered as free as air, worldwide shortages have changed that perception.

But water stress or droughts now grip highly-populated countries in a swathe from Morocco to China, and the breadbaskets of Australia and the United States are often dangerously parched. Some rivers, exhausted by overuse, now dry up before they reach the sea and ancient aquifers are being wound down at massive rates, un-replenished by rainwater. Irresponsible irrigation and pollution are major problems. [AFP via Google News]

Many companies have been hoping for some sort of standard in order to better manage risk regarding water supplies. Due to that, as well as the fact that “Six environmental groups, including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have joined in the scheme, which will include corporations and social groups,” this program could be in place within two years.

takepart to learn about water conservation.