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When the door opened from Illegal Pete’s last Thursday night, music spilled out onto East Evans Avenue. The variety ranged from DJ beats to alternative rock.
However, the loud and local music scene was not without cause; it was for quite a good cause – water conservation.
In order to raise awareness for the issue and World Water Week, Illegal Pete’s hosted a Tap Project benefit concert that featured live music from The Masculine and DJs Glucose and Snubluck. Students, passers-by, and burrito-lovers alike grooved to the beats to raise funds for UNICEF’s Tap Project.
On Monday, March 22, the United Nations Water Group recognized World Water Day, as did many in Denver and on campus. The theme this year was “clean water for a healthy world” since the lack of clean water affects millions worldwide.
According to www.worldwaterday.org, “Every year, 1,500 cubic kilometres of wastewater are produced globally. While waste and wastewater can be reused productively for energy and irrigation, it usually is not. In developing countries 80 percent of all waste is being discharged untreated, because of lack of regulations and resources. And population and industrial growth add new sources of pollution and increased demand for clean water to the equation. Human and environmental health, drinking and agricultural water supplies for the present and future are at stake, still water pollution rarely warrants mention as a pressing issue.”
Only 1 percent of the world’s fresh water is available for human use.
Those who do not have access to clean water face illness and a degrade way of life. Water issues have caused conflicts on the local level and potential wars among nations deprived of clean water supplies.
Students at the event varied at how much they already knew and were concerned about the clean water issue.
“The No. 1 killer is nonindustrial world is diarrhea from unclean water. It affects us and it affects the world,” said student activist Dillon Doyle. “Even in Colorado, access to municipal water is an issue.”
He pointed out that companies like Pepsi sell bottled water, which costs many times the price of tap water and the plastic bottles overwhelm landfill sites.
Others were just excited to see the issue gaining local exposure and support.
Steele Kempton, 19, and a Metro State student, said, “I’m aware that it’s an issue that needs to be fixed. It’s sad we have to have benefit concerts. I am enjoying it quite a lot. It has increased my awareness.”
The musicians also were excited to be a part of the effort to increase awareness of the clean water issue.
Seth Klekampt, a member of The Masculine, said, “It’s good to play for people who are there to support the reason we’re playing; helping people. Mark my words, the next world war will be over water.”
Illegal Pete’s assistant manager Chelsea Marx said, “I think that we got a good crowd. It’s always a pleasure to get local bands. This event has raised awareness for me as well. I feel like there are a lot of things we take for granted here. This is one thing that helps.”
A recent DU graduate Kate Powers volunteered through Korbel’s School of International Studies to take on planning this event.
“This cause struck me, because so many children and people are ill and dying from totally preventable illnesses. It’s a worldwide issue,” she explained.
“I feel like Illegal Pete’s was a great contribution to the community for supporting events like this,” said Whitney VanCleave, a DU senior.
