Every year on March 22, under the auspices of the United Nations, World Water Day is observed to remind us that water is an irreplaceable natural resource, the foundation of life, and a key factor in sustainable development. Although often taken for granted, access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation is not equally available in all parts of the world, making this issue one of the major global challenges.

The theme for 2026, “Water and Gender Equality,” highlights the link between access to water and social equality. In many communities, women and girls bear the greatest burden of water scarcity, often spending hours collecting water, which affects their education, health, and opportunities to participate in social and economic life. In this way, the issue of water also becomes a matter of fundamental human rights and equal opportunities.

In nature, water forms part of interconnected ecosystems that include rivers, lakes, groundwater, as well as transitional and coastal waters. These systems enable the circulation of matter, climate regulation, and the preservation of biodiversity, but are under increasing pressure from climate change, growing demand, and pollution. Therefore, water protection requires a systematic and expert approach.

Croatia has significant water resources, but their protection and the preservation of their quality require continuous monitoring and responsible management. In this process, Josip Juraj Strossmayer Water Institute plays an important role by conducting systematic monitoring of surface and groundwater, as well as transitional and coastal waters, thereby providing an expert basis for decision-making, planning of protection measures, and sustainable water resource management.

World Water Day is an opportunity to remind us that water is a shared responsibility—from institutions and experts to every individual—because protecting water today means ensuring a safer and more sustainable future.