Spend a penny for World Toilet Day

It’s hard to imagine life without a toilet, but billions of people around the world don’t have access to this basic necessity of modern life.

This Thursday is the United Nations’ World Toilet Day, aimed at raising awareness of the lack of proper sanitation in Third World countries and the serious consequences this has to health, safety and dignity.

Western Water is calling on Melton and Moorabool residents to join their “pay to pee” campaign to raise money for the 2.3 billion people around the world who don’t have access to toilets and good sanitation.

Staff will be encouraged to donate a gold coin after a trip to the toilet for the international charity WaterAid, which works to improve water and sanitation facilities in the world’s poorest countries.

Every $25 raised will pay for a toilet in a school, while $40 can pay for a toilet for a family.

“The installation of proper toilets can have a huge impact on a community, helping children stay in school, preventing the spread of deadly diseases and reducing the risk of sexual assault for girls and women,” a Western Water spokeswoman said.

For more information about the campaign, visit wateraid.org/au