The #4Liters Challenge
You probably take running water for granted, but millions of Americans can't afford to. Learn to love your water by using just four liters for 24 hours.
Why four liters?
Americans use more than 100 gallons of water a day, and most of us take it for granted. We assume that when we turn the knob, water will show up. It’s not life or death; it’s hot or cold. But for at least 2.2 million Americans, saving water is everything. To survive, they have to find at least four liters - or about one gallon - a day.
We challenge you to live one day in water poverty. For 24 hours, use just four liters of water for everything you do and change the way you think about water forever.
How It Works
With a little planning and the right attitude, #4Liters is an awesome adventure. Grab your water bottle; here's how to get started:
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1. Grab a bottle and start the clock.
Fill a one liter water bottle (4x) or a gallon milk jug and use it for everything: cooking, cleaning, drinking, and bathing over 24 hours. Stay hydrated by drinking 2-3 liters of it.
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2. Post at 4pm
At 4pm post a video or picture showing how much water you have left. What was weird, funny or inspiring about your day? Post with the hashtag #4liters.
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3. Challenge 4 Friends
When you finish your 24 hours, you've earned the right to challenge 4 friends to take the challenge or donate! Call them out online or slip into their DMs.
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4. Fundraise for Running Water
Use your challenge to bring clean, running water to real people by raising funds from friends and family on Facebook, GoFundMe or DigDeep's funraising portal.
Meet Maya
Maya Washington (aka @Shameless Maya) is a creative artist and social media sensation. She tried the #4liters challenge and this was her experience.
Join Maya by sharing your experience with the hashtag #4Liters.
THE #4LITERS CURRICULUM
Experience is the best teacher. Like the 4Liters Challenge, the 4Liters Curriculum encourages young people to consider global water challenges in the context of their own lives.
Four liters in the classroom
Lessons are divided into three sections - See, Judge and Act - which help the student explore everyday situations of water poverty and plan specific actions to create change.
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See
What exactly is happening? Why is it happening? What effect is it having on people’s lives?
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Judge
What shoud be happening? How does this problem effect you? What do you think about all of this?
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Act
What needs to change? How can you help make this change a reality? Who can you get involved?
Download Resources
“For the things we have to learn before doing them, we learn by doing them”.
Aristotle
Give clean, running water.
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