World Water Day is an International Event held annually on 22 March, where officials and citizens around the world join together to advocate for more sustainable management of this precious resource. The 2013 theme is cooperation. We are all connected to water, we are all connected to each other through this life-supporting resource.

To celebrate and inspire others around this day, we're asking you to share photos of water near you and actions you might be taking to protect it at www.flickr.com/groups/ourenvironment

EPA water updates and news water.epa.gov/

In 2013, in reflection of the International Year of Water Cooperation, World Water Day is also dedicated to the theme of cooperation around water and is coordinated by UNESCO in collaboration with UNECE and UNDESA on behalf of UN-Water.

An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day. www.unwater.org

These photos above have been provided to EPA's State of the Environment global photography documentary. Photo Credits:

'Boats on the Mekong, Laos' by SoBoME, March 1, 2013

'The problem with stormwwater' by JEBlankenship May 29, 2012

'Trash Puddles Oslo, 2011' by Michelle Lanning, April 28, 2011

'Redfining Industrial Stormwater' by JEBlankenship, September 21, 2012

'Golden Water' by donsfotostop Michigan, May 11, 2011

'Plastic, plastic, everywhere--and dirty water to drink...' by bltlewis January 13, 2012"

'black sea nettle (Chrysaora achlyos)' by scubapro25, March 14, 2013

'Downstream' by photocafe, British Columbia, January 13, 2013

'Water in Motion' by Rustgibson, August 6, 2012

'One small piece of litter can make a difference' by Clean Bread and Cheese Creek, March 13, 2013

'Trees are reflected in a Hilton Head Island lagoon on a December morning.' by John Dreyer, December 28, 2011