Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

As one of the foremost water wasters on the East Cost, I would like to take this opportunity to observe World Water Day, an event "to draw attention to the plight of the more than 1 billion people worldwide who lack access to clean, safe drinking water." Doesn't sound as fun as Waterworld Day, but whatev.

20 Number of seconds that pass, on average, between each time someone in the world dies from a water-related complication, according to Penn's Institute for Environmental Studies. The department has developed a program to address global water and sanitation that includes four courses relating to the complex policy, management, legal, technical and other involved issues. Visit www.sas.upenn.edu/earth/ies for details.

19 Number of U.S. cities hosting a Walk For Water, an event inspired by the women in water-stressed countries who walk miles a day to get water for their families. Philly's Walk For Water will travel from Love Park to World Café Live March 24 starting at noon. Let's hope there's some free-at-noon agua fria along the way.

$3.30 Cost of a bottle of water at The Bridge Cinema in University City. Try to see past that while screening the World Water Day Film March 22 at 7 p.m., featuring inspiration, information and discussion about water. Register at www.worldwaterday.net. But sneak in your Nalgene.

5 Number of gallons of water that will be contained in the buckets being carried around the Philadelphia Museum of Art by participants in Lifting the Burden, an event sponsored by the Philadelphia Global Water Initiative March 22 at 4 p.m., to "gain empathy and a real understanding of the difficulties faced daily by people without access to clean drinking water." Ah, empathy. Pound for pound, almost as valuable as awareness.

6,000 Number of gallons of water contained in the "Bass Tub," a 45-foot-long tank that will be filled with more than 50 large- and small-mouth bass during the MAC Events Boat Show, March 22 to 25, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. OK, this isn't actually related to World Water Day. But it's certainly in the same spirit.

Can I get your digits? I want to hear about the numerals you need to see. Let a number runner know at runningnumbers@gmail.com.