We can’t live without fresh water. Of all the water on Earth, only 2.5% is fresh water, most of which is trapped in ice or deep underground. But more and more of it is becoming contaminated with chemicals, waste, and plastic. Polluted water affects everyone who comes into contact with, but it disproportionately affects vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

Pollutants in our water can negatively affect crops by stunting their growth or making them unsafe to eat. Aquatic animals are especially affected, as the imbalance in their ecosystem disrupts their food chain and may cause many species to die out completely. Similarly, human exposure to polluted water can cause many different health problems, including gastrointestinal, respiratory, and skin-related issues. To find out more and see how you can get involved, check out our partner organizations.

Fresh water is vital for our survival, but only 2.5% of Earth's water is freshwater, much of which is frozen or underground. Unfortunately, more and more freshwater is becoming contaminated with pollutants, such as chemicals, waste, and plastic, which affects everyone who comes into contact with it, especially vulnerable populations. Polluted water can harm crops, aquatic animals, and humans, causing various health issues.

Too dirty water

Our partners are working tirelessly to change how clean water is valued, pushing for freshwater habitats to be managed sustainably. They’re also getting financial institutions to invest in sustainable water projects, creating legislation to protect water, and getting businesses to take more responsibility for the water they use and discharge. Also, raising awareness - that’s where you come in.

What can we do about it?

Thanks for checking out The Drop Store. As you might know by now, this product at this price doesn’t exist. Yet. Water challenges concern everybody. Some of us already deal with these challenges every day, while others don't see them yet. If we don't act now, they’ll get worse for everyone. Find out more about what’s happening below, and see how you can get involved in building a better future.

Let's get real

When water has a problem, the world has a problem.{{BREAK}}Get a glimpse of what’s in store.

More than half of humanity will struggle to get enough water for their needs, at least one month a year, by 2050.

5 Billion People

The products we use

The food we eat

The clothes we wear

The water crisis affects everything and everyone.

This product is not available, because it doesn’t exist – yet. Learn more about the ongoing water crisis and discover what you can do to help. Your involvement could prevent products like these from becoming part of our daily reality.

Cart

Water scarcity doesn't only limit access to safe drinking water, but it also makes it difficult to practice basic hygiene at home, in schools, and in healthcare facilities. Too little water disproportionally impacts women and children, as they are often tasked to collect it. When water is scarce, it also becomes more expensive, just like all products that need it for production.

Too little water especially affects food production, leading to crop failure, reduced output, and increased prices for everyone. Many of the things we eat and enjoy today will completely vanish, reducing the diversity and nutrition of our food. As you can see, water scarcity affects far more than just the water we drink. Check out some of our partner organizations to learn what you can do.

Water scarcity not only restricts access to safe drinking water but also hampers hygiene practices, particularly impacting women and children who bear the burden of water collection. Insufficient water availability increases costs and jeopardizes food production, leading to crop failure, reduced output, and higher prices. This threatens the diversity and nutrition of our food. Explore our partner organizations to take action beyond drinking water concerns.

Too little water

Our partners try to find systemic solutions, by better protecting existing and finding new water resources, planning for urban scarcity, and expanding technologies to ensure climate resilience. We all play a role in conserving water. Let’s take action by reducing water usage at home, supporting water conservation policies, and raising awareness about the importance of water. Share this story.

Since the year 2000, flood-related disasters have increased by 134%. Floods have large social consequences for communities and individuals. Immediate impacts of floods include loss of human life, property, crops, and livestock. Another dire consequence is health deterioration due to waterborne diseases and malnutrition. It takes months, if not years, for communities to recover from floods.

Just like droughts, floods also negatively affect how we grow our food. By impacting crop yield, causing soil erosion and nutrient depletion, excessive water is bad news for everyone involved. Not only are our crops negatively affected, but the farms, factories, and transportation networks that produce them are too. Floods can spread chemicals, pollutants, and even diseases through our land and pose a real risk for everyone who lives and works in the affected areas. Find out more about what you can do, by checking out our partner organizations.

Since 2000, flood-related disasters have surged by 134%, inflicting severe social and economic consequences. Floods result in immediate loss of life, property, crops, and livestock. They also lead to health problems like waterborne diseases and malnutrition. Recovery from floods takes months or even years. Additionally, floods harm food production by reducing crop yield, causing soil erosion, and damaging farming infrastructure. They spread pollutants and pose risks to affected communities. Explore our partner organizations for ways to take action.

Too much water

While it's impossible to completely prevent floods, there are several things we can do to mitigate their impact. Our partners strengthen the networks of people, institutions, hardware, investment, and resources that deliver clean water to our taps. They also try to educate as many people on this issue as they can. By sharing this story, you can help tremendously.

Your market for
a world in water crisis.

Your market
for a world
in water crisis.

Water – whether too much, too little, or too dirty – connects the great challenges of our time. No less than 90% of all climate disasters manifest themselves through water: via flooding, drought or pollution. Floods are devastating island nations and coastal cities, while droughts are drying up the Western US and Sub-Saharan Africa. Developing nations, and parts of the world where goods are manufactured, are affected by pollution and its effects. All over the world, people are starting to feel the emerging water crisis and if we don't act now, it'll only get worse. While some of you might not notice these issues in your day-to-day life, it might only be a matter of time.{{BREAK}}Luckily, there are many things that you can do. Like and follow The Drop Store on social media to spread our message. Download the social media kit to share this story on your own channels. Get involved in local organizations that fight against the emerging water crisis in your area. Regardless if there is too much, too little, or too dirty water - we need you. We radically need to change the way we think about how we use, manage, and value water. And it means rapidly figuring out how to repair and replenish the water cycle even as we prosper. The good news is that we do have what it takes to put water back on a sustainable track. We have the scientific knowledge. We have most of the technologies and capabilities. So check out our partner organzations and find out more.

Who is affected, and what can you do?

IRC is an international think tank actively building strong water, sanitation and hygiene systems – from the bottom up and the top down. We exist to support countries to build strong local and national services, underpinned by resilient systems, that transform lives and build equity, justice and opportunity for all.

WWF is striving to transform the way that the world's rivers, lakes and wetlands are valued and managed - not just as water sources but for all the diverse benefits they provide to people and nature. In more than 50 countries, we collaborate with partners to protect and restore wetlands, save iconic species like sturgeon and river dolphins, keep rivers free flowing and build resilience to climate change.

Water Footprint Implementation is a young organization specialized in Water Footprint Assessments and implementation of methods for Water Footprint reduction. WFI aims to have an impact on water resource consumption by helping the private sector, governments, and consumers to put the academic, data-based Water Footprint concept into practice.

WaterFootPrint Implementation

Water problems worldwide affect women and girls in marginalized communities in Africa and Asia particularly hard. These same women are also key to the solution. Simavi strives to get the funding for local solutions in the hands of these women.

Simavi

Learn about the commitments and actions made for your country in the Water Action Agenda that was initiated for the UN 2023 Water Conference

Water Action Agenda

Be the change: what can you do for water?

UN Water

Get involved: the Global Youth Movement for Water created this website for youth to address the water challenges.

Global Youth Movement for Water

Be a game changer, join the movement of talent for water and energy.

Wavemakers United

Become an advocate, join Generation Unlimited to learn more about skills and how to get connected.

Generation Unlimited

Resilient Cities Network

Join the global community of water campaigners and invite everyone to join our free, virtual activations as we work together to change the world.

Run for Water

This truly tastes like the world before the water crisis.

It's expensive, but it's worth it. Besides, what else am I going to drink? Regular water, like some sort of animal?

Pristium Water is worth every penny! Its crisp, clean taste and smooth texture are super refreshing. And it doesn’t make me sick as regular water does. Also nice.

It’s just like ordinary water, but drinkable. Stay hydrated, stay classy, and stay away from the dirty water the rest is drinking - a status symbol of the times.

Bottled water from glacier infused with minerals.

per 0.5L of bottled water

pure-water

So Clean

Thirsty for the taste of old-school hydration?

Pristium Water

We can’t live without fresh water. Of all the water on Earth, only 2.5% is fresh water, most of which is trapped in ice or deep underground. But more and more of it is becoming contaminated with chemicals, industrial waste, but also plastics, medicines, and even hormones. All of these threaten our fresh water supply, requiring more and more sophisticated technology to make it safe for drinking. Some 2.2 billion people around the world already do not have safely managed drinking water services. The costs for water treatment are increasing everywhere, including in developed countries. Don't let water become a luxurious commodity and help us protect our water sources!

Why is this water so expensive?

I bought three of them and made a legendary club sandwich. I had to sell some of my clothes - but it was totally worth it. 

Get this life-hack: if you slice it through length-wise, you can make two, even thinner slices out of it, that are good for like two whole meals. Wow!

I wish I could have way more of this but I guess we can't all live in luxury :(

The greatest invention since sliced bread might have been to wrap and sell it individually. Bite into the convenience of today.
*Toppings sold separately.

bread

Nice Slice

A little slice of heaven - in individual servings.

Better Bread

Bread is what you get for free at a restaurant before your meal. But did you know each slice requires about 80 liters of water to grow the wheat required for it? Large-scale wheat production requires heavy fertilizer and pesticide usage, depletes nutrients in the soil, reduces organic matter, and causes soil erosion. All of that is not really beneficial to our water system, though organic-grown wheat seems to be an alternative. So was that free bread really free?

Why is this bread so expensive? 

I can't believe I ate the whole bar in just one night! But sometimes you just have to treat yourself.

Loved the first square, but forgot it in my car so it melted :(

I split mine into 20 equal parts and gave it out on Halloween! The kids were ecstatic.

Don't be shocked by the price - because these four squares of sugary bliss are definitely worth it.

chocolate

Oh yeah

Shockolate

This might come as a surprise, but cocoa butter, the key ingredient for chocolate, has the highest water footprint, a staggering 34,000 liters per kilogram! Mixed with other ingredients, a 100 g bar of chocolate still takes 1700 liters to produce. Cacao trees love water, as do tropical forests.  Cacao production has spurred massive deforestation in West Africa, leading to soil erosion and further degradation of the water system. A tasty treat, for sure, but also a very thirsty one.

Why is this chocolate so expensive?

I always keep a bottle of Hyped & Hydrated in the fridge in case the clean water runs out again.

Hyped & Hydrated is what keeps me cool in this hot weather. It would be even better with ice. Too bad I can't afford it.

No access to clean drinking water? No problem! Hyped & Hydrated is our fizzling new soda - the new nectar of the gods.

Water used per 0.5L of Cola

soda

Fizztastic

It's like a super expensive party in your mouth.

Hyped & Hydrated

Believe it or not, sodas and soft drinks are also vulnerable to the water crisis. Not only is clean water needed for their production, like for rinsing their bottles, it is also needed to grow the ingredients for it. Think of all the sugar, berries, fruits, and other ingredients that go into it. Did you know that we need 1780 liters of clean water for every kilogram of refined sugar from sugar cane? On average, we need 72 liters of water to produce 1 liter of soft drink or soda. So think about it, next time you quench your thirst!

Why is this soda so expensive?

Who would have thought I'd get so many compliments on my shoes while I was desperately trying to reach dry land? 

The sexiest scuba fins I have ever laid my eyes on! 

Where I live, we have flash floods all the time, which is quite a hassle. But since I bought these bad boys, reaching the roof of a house is a piece of cake. 

Where fashion meets flash floods. Our Diva Divers will have you both slaying on the runway and propel your body through murky floodwaters. Now that most of our living environments are underwater, having such a practical yet fashionable accessory is indispensable.

flipped-shoes

Go Deep

Trying not to drown has never looked so fresh.

Diva Divers

increase in flood-related disasters since 2000

More than 10% of the world’s population lives less than 10 meters above sea level, in low-lying coastal areas vulnerable to floods, hurricanes, and storms. More than 410 million people are predicted to be at risk from rising sea levels. But many more cities are at risk of undergoing something called “subsidence”, which is the actual sinking of the ground because too much water has been pumped from it – and that by up to 15 cm per year. So keep your feet dry, and prioritize water efforts to avoid sinking.

Why do these shoes exist?

Sometimes I indulge and I use two strips - I'm so bad!

No more skid marks for this guy! TP Strips gave me confidence

It's so soft - and the fact that it's single ply is amazing. I used to live with no ply at all.  

Strip after strip, this single-ply essential will get you (somewhat) clean. Since there's no water for bidets anymore, just wrap these handy, pre-perforated strips around your finger and get scrubbing.

Your behind will be sparkly clean, giving you confidence throughout the day. *Two pack limit per customer - enough to last you and your family a whole month.

Joep F. Schyns, Martijn J. Booij, Arjen Y. Hoekstra (2017)

Water used per 1KG of paper

toilet-paper

Wipe that

That sparkly fresh feeling, strip for strip.

TP Strips

Now, this is interesting! Did you know it takes 31.1 million trees to manufacture enough toilet paper for only the US, each Year? That adds up to 141 rolls per person. This has a significant environmental impact, causing deforestation, habitat loss, and water pollution. China’s annual toilet paper mileage stretches 2.7 billion miles. That is from Earth beyond the planet Neptune! Yet 70% of the world’s population doesn’t use paper at all, as they use water instead – if they have it. With over 1.7 billion people not having access to basic sanitation services, the question arises: to wipe or not to wipe?

Why is this toilet paper so expensive?

Wow I had so much fun assembling this thing with other ingredients. Can you believe foods are combinable? What a world!

Wait, so this is made out of a living animal?? I am so confused, like for real? 

I haven't had real beef in years - but honestly not worth it. Tastes the same as vegan burgers tbh. 

Get bunned up boys and girls, because this real cow beef bomb is gonna blow up your taste buds. *Some assembly required. Toppings sold separately.

Water used per 1KG of beef

beef

Start Beef

Moo goes the cow. Sizzle goes the burger. You go yum. 

Real Cow Hamburgers

Let's add this one up, shall we? To produce one single burger, we need the bun, sauce, lettuce, tomato slice, pickle, and the beef. All of that requires about 2500 liters of water, mostly for the production of the animal protein. So maybe opt for a plant-based patty, which has a much lower environmental impact than animal-based meat. Or why not try a grilled bell peppers instead? Make taking care of our water part of your next combo meal.

Why is this burger so expensive? 

Sure, I had to suck it through my teeth in order to filter out the debris, but hey, what’s a little pathogen or macroscopic pollutant, am I right? 

I don't really love the taste and it's greatly affecting my health, but at least I can afford it.

For refills, I just walk to the kitchen. How convenient! 

Regular water, just as dirty as from the tap in your house, but in a single serving! Quench your thirst without the hefty price tag.

Bottled surface water from deltas, possibly contaminated with debris, harmful chemicals (PFAS), pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, excerements.

Water used per 0.5L of dirty water

dirty-water

Fill It Up

Re:Water

Humans need about two liters of fresh water per day, and if we don't get it, we can survive for only around three days. Traces of chemicals, waste, plastic, medicines, cocaine, and pesticides can all be found in the water we drink. Polluted water affects everyone, everywhere. It disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, and low-income individuals. Women in many countries have to walk for hours to fetch water for their families, which is time they cannot spend on care or education. Too often projects, although well intended, provide just temporary relief. Unite for water and help us find sustainable solutions.

This made an amazing birthday meal. I made a spoon of mash, and three fries!

How do I pronounce this product? I've never heard of it before.

I didn't eat it, I just carry it around everywhere to show off. It's so rare!

This single-serving potato is a carb-a-licious staple sure to enhance any meal. Boil it mash it, stick it in a stew. Just choose carefully, since you only get one.

Water used per 1KG of potatoes

potato

On the go!

Now in practical vacuum pack - you can see the carbs!

Go-tato

Love your French fries with a little salt? Potatoes are quite sustainable for the environment, people, and the communities around them. Potatoes have a low carbon footprint and require less land and water than many other fruits, vegetables, and cereals. Potatoes are affordable and prevalent in many diets around the world. However, potatoes are highly susceptible to salt! Rising sea levels and poor irrigation can lead to excessive salinity and loss of crops. So let’s keep on adding salt after they’ve been fried, instead of while they’re growing. Okay?

Why is this potato so expensive?

Didn't read the cooking instructions and just chewed them raw - would not recommend. Delivery also quite long.

I was able to make one whole cup of espresso with this - I've never felt so energized, so I ordered a bunch more!!!

I've never even tasted something bitter before. Why do people like this? Don't waste your money on these "beans". 

When it's really time to get going, you better bust out these beans to boil - because we're making what? Coffee, of course! Indulge in your bitterness and sip it hot.

Water used per 1KG of coffee

coffee

Beans to boil

Boil these beans and boost your bitterness.

Coffee Time

I just can't go without coffee! Well, just one cup takes over 140 liters of water to grow, process, and transport! Industrial-scale coffee uses harsh pesticides and chemicals to grow coffee beans.  Waste from coffee processing plants is a major source of river pollution. All while rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, swings from drought to flooding, and new pests challenge coffee bean production worldwide! Value your caffeine shot? Then we have to take care of the water required to grow it.

Why are these coffee beans so expensive?

I thought the pit was a really cool addition! I juggle with them to distract me from the hot weather and ongoing drought.

My mom told me they used to smear this on toast for something called brunch - the past seems so luxurious, but this product brings me one step closer.

Enough to make a half cup of guacamole - Cinco de Mayo is saved!

No one knows if avocado toast was really what prevented millennials from being able to afford homes, just indulge in this creamy green fruit, now including the pit!

Water used per 1KG of avocado

avocado

Pit Included

It's technically a fruit - so you know it's good for you.

A-VO CA-DO

A true superfood, and one of the trendiest fruits on the market at that. We eat almost 9 billion kg of it, per year. That’s nearly 30 billion avocados! And the amount is steadily increasing. More avocados require more land, and more water, while every single one requires about 220 liters to be grown. Deforestation and large water extraction contribute to the drying out of soils, and increase soil degradation. And that doesn’t even take into account the storage and shipping challenges this creamy treat brings with it. Want to protect avocados? Help us protect water.

Why is this avocado so expensive? 

Every single grain is fluffy and aromatic. Five Rice adds a festive touch to any meal.

I saved up so my family and I could each throw a grain at my sister's wedding.

Great product, the entire batch had the same taste and texture. 5/5

Satisfy your carb-craving with our exclusive Rice-a-Lonely—five grains, just for you.

Water used per 1KG of rice

rice

So Grainy

Rice-a-Lonely

Rice is a food staple for more than 3.5 billion people around the world, particularly in Asia, Latin America, and parts of Africa. Much of it is farmed in low-lying flat lands, like the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. Rice farming is very water intensive, using 40% of all irrigation water in the world. Rice is both a victim of and a contributor to climate change as rising temperatures, frequent droughts, floods, and typhoons are devastating rice farms. Rice contributes to methane emissions, but far less than animal farming. Know your rice, value water!

Why is this rice so expensive?

At first, I was a little worried about this product's high levels of PFAS, but then someone told me it stands for “Perfectly Fine Amazing Supper.”

Here I was, thinking most of what was living in the world’s lakes and rivers had been wiped out by microplastics, motor oil, and droughts. What a treat!

What are the odds that the one fish that's been able to survive these high levels of pollution tastes so great?

Feast on one of the last freshwater fish species – while you still can. Now available as a cubegram: the coolest cubic unit on the market. 

Weighted average of all fish and crustaceans in aquaculture

Water used per 1KG of farmed fish

salmon

Reel It In

Fish Cubegram

Worldwide fish stocks are shrinking. Dams are being built in rivers, either for electricity or irrigation, while industrial waste threatens the water quality. The seas and oceans are being overfished, which means smaller catches and therefore less income for fisherfolk. While dams can provide flood protection, supply energy, and water security, they also pose a significant threat to freshwater species. Dams block fish from moving between feeding and spawning grounds, limiting their abilities to reproduce. In short: less fish, less food. Let's take care of our water, our rivers, our lakes, and our oceans. Not just for the water itself, but also for everything living in it.

Why is this fish so expensive?

I grilled it and it was delicious! Juicy and flavorful, it's the perfect side dish to my Fish Cubegram.

Cornlet is so versatile. You can grill it, cook it, pop it, or even wear it. Try boiling it, if you can afford the water.

Throwing a dinner party and looking for something special to impress your friends? Look no further! Cornlet is tasty, nutritious, and, best of all, super exclusive.

Water used per KG of Corn

corn

Pop Pop

Impress your loved one with a couple of popped kernels on movie night

Cornlet

Corn yields might be improving due to efficient farming, but researchers have found that it is very sensitive to water availability in the soil, which is drying out on a global scale as groundwater becomes scarce or difficult to reach. Record temperatures and prolonged droughts in 2022 led to reduced crop yields in many regions. ‘Heatflation’ is the term used to describe how higher temperatures lead to smaller harvests and higher prices. But it is not only extreme heat that hurts crop yields – increased and more severe flooding, more frequent landslides, and unexpected frost are also damaging. As you can see, we'll need to achieve a lot to keep corn around in our lives.

Why is this corn so expensive?

Saved up 13 months for this just to find out I'm lactose intolerant. Bummer!

Boy o boy, the last time I had cheese was before the drought, about 5 years ago. 

I love the fact they're so easy to stack.

A megadrought does not mean we can't have cheese. Get your cheese board out and feast - one cube at a time.

Water used per 1KG of cheese

Say Cube!

A hexagonal piece of cheese is a lot better than a slice.

Cheese Cubegram

Cheese, made from cow, sheep, or goat milk! It takes up to 6000 liters of water to produce just one kilogram of the stuff. In this case, most of it is used for animal feed and fodder, so you see, dairy products are really water intensive, no matter how you produce them. Cattle are vulnerable too, with livestock dying worldwide as a result of droughts. We're really not trying to be cheesy here, but next time you want to indulge in some gooey goodness, just know that cheese is water intensive.