Four Oxfordshire firms are spearheading moves to get people to realise just how important water is to their lives and the environment.

Rob Flavin, of the Centre for Hydrology and Ecology in Wallingford, said: "We want them to see it as more than just something which comes out of a tap."

His company is working alongside hydraulic research company HR Wallingford, Cassington communications consultants Mistral, and Longworth designers Samui as part of the UK's contribution to International Year of Freshwater (H2003).

The first step in the county scheme is to get people to take pictures of areas of fresh water in their own areas -- including garden ponds, streams and rivers. Mistral senior account manager Joe Burgoyne said: "We want the pictures to be part of a national database.

"This national collection will demonstrate the importance of these locations to humans and wildlife, and the need to protect them."

Mr Flavin said: "There are a myriad ways that fresh water has an impact on our lives. We use it for leisure, as a workplace and as a home for wildlife.

"Floods and droughts affect us and climate change will have major impacts on all of us."

International Year of Freshwater H2003 has a website giving details of photographic and writing competitions with prizes and activities to undertake.

The Internet site -- www.h2o03.org.uk -- also gives details of work being done countywide, nationally and internationally.