Tara Powell doesn't want to pour cold water on the ice bucket challenge phenomenon sweeping the world, but she does want to urge people to stop and think before they dip into their pockets.
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"The 'ALS Ice-Bucket Challenge' is for me quite a controversial campaign," the 24-year-old freelance artist said.
"Don't get me wrong, I am all for raising funds for this horrible terminal and degenerative disease, however I do find a lot wrong with the so called 'ALS Ice-Bucket Challenge'," she said.
"Firstly, I wondered why would you not just donate the large sum of money if you were passionate about the cause?
"Second, many people seem to lack knowledge on the actual challenge and just do it for some sort of social media acclamation.
"And thirdly the gross awareness of simply wasting such a precious resource of clean water that Australia and other blessed countries take for granted."
The social media campaign has taken on a life of its own, raising $100 million for the US-based ALS Association so far.
MND Australia has pocketed $1.6 million.
Celebrities, sporting heroes, politicians and everyday adults and children are dumping buckets of ice water over their heads and sharing the clips on social media. They donate $10 then nominate others to take the challenge, or they chicken out and donate $100.
Ms Powell, from the Illawarra, said she was glad people were raising awareness about the horrific disease but urged people to also look at the "bigger picture".
Eleven per cent of the global population - or 783 million people - remained without access to an improved source of drinking water, she said.
"Over 40 per cent of all people without improved drinking water live in sub-Saharan Africa."
Ms Powell says 2.5 billion people in the world did not have access to adequate sanitation - that equates to about 35 per cent of the world's population.
"We live in a privileged country and it's time to look a little deeper into how and why we use the resources we have," she said.
"Doing something just because social media will like it won't make you any better a person.
"I can't help but think what the people of Liberia ravaged by the Ebola virus, which is transmitted partially through poor sanitation and unclean water, would think of us big-noting ourselves and wasting this precious resource."
Ms Powell is not the first Australian to say "no" to the challenge.
Queensland newsreader Lincoln Humphries also appeared to be well considered in his refusal posted on YouTube.
"I'm not saying it isn't a worthy cause but let's spread the love," Mr Humphries said.
He nominated "everyone, everywhere who has more than what they need to donate what they can to the people who need it most".
Mr Humphries suggested people could donate blood, adopt dogs from the RSPCA, buy clothes from their local op shop and give money to aid organisations.
Watch Ms Powell's video at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGjh3QoAoH0.
