http://www.wsp.org/index.cfm?page=page_disp&pid=1570

"Water systems designed for multiple uses, called productive use systems, allow people to diversify their activities and save money, particularly in difficult periods, such as drought. Productive use of water has been linked to poverty reduction, improved health through improved nutrition, and increased sustainability of water systems, with direct economic benefits to communities and governments . . . Having access to reliable water in the household allows women to engage in decision-making as investors, farmers, and income earners."

The general public seems to be somewhat aware of water supply shortages throughout the world -- although probably not of the severity of the problem -- but likely doesn't know the implications of this issue beyond the fact that "there are lots of thirsty people in the world, and many get sick because they don't have clean water to drink."

If drives for access to clean water and sanitary conditions could be linked more closely with some of the above -- "poverty reduction, increased sustainability of water systems, direct economic benefits to communities and governments," learning and school enrollment, and especially gender equality -- more people and organizations would be interested in providing clean water to rural and urban communities and would come together to push the issue. The involvement of this greater diversity of people would also draw in more people from different backgrounds than just service workers or environmental activists -- women's groups, health groups, possibly businesses in targeted countries, education groups, etc. Even people like Oprah could be brought into the mix :P -- instead of building more fancy schools like the one she built in South Africa, they could fund many more reasonable schools with clean water and sanitary conditions and solve a host of problems in rural villages and some urban areas.