WATER MANAGEMENT
An indispensable resource for the survival of humanity as well as other living species on planet earth is water. While Earth has abundant water, as evident by the blue bodies, on the world map, only 3 percent of the water is usable/freshwater while the remaining 97 percent is seawater. Moreover, only 0.5 percent of this fresh water is available to drink while the rest of the 2.5 percent is found in glaciers, ice caps, atmosphere, soil, or groundwater that has become too polluted to be consumed. It is the freshwater that is needed by plants to survive and maintain the ecosystem which provides us with oxygen using the process of photosynthesis. This raises the urgency to understand the significance of fresh water in our daily life usage.
However, with rampant climate change repercussions, it is evident to a large majority of people that water-related problems are becoming pervasive. These vary from anything like water shortage to deprivation of general clean water to waterborne diseases. One of the alarming statistics is that “Approximately 900 million to 1.1 billion people worldwide lack clean drinking water, and 2.4 billion lack basic sanitation.” As the United Nations report published in 2003 adequately puts it, “Across the globe, groundwater is being depleted by the demands of megacities and agriculture, while fertilizer runoff and pollution are threatening water quality and public health.” Hence, the challenge is perceivable by the human race, which is to grapple with the declining water tables, the capricious yet frequent droughts, and heavy precipitation levels that are affecting different parts of the globe adversely.
The need for sustainable fresh water can be comprehended by the fact that “Water and sanitation related diseases are one of the leading causes of death in children under 5 years old,” and above 700 children below the age of 5 succumb to diarrhea daily.
Hence, it befalls us to find ways that can help the present generation to conserve water so that future generations can meet their basic needs. Clean water and sanitation are one of the pillars of the seventeen sustainable development goals.
Fortunately, there are several ways to conserve water so that it is used efficiently while also avoiding any unnecessary water wastage. The more we reduce unnecessary water use, the more we will be able to save energy since a lot of energy is necessitated to deliver water to our homes, businesses, and companies. In the kitchen, it is advisable to stop using water to defrost food that is taken out of the refrigerator; in the case of cleaning fruits and vegetables, be mindful of not letting the faucet keep running because if that is avoided, households can save 150 to 200 gallons of water every month. Also, when washing dishes, avoid using ample detergent since a large quantity of detergent requires more water to remove it. Small cautious practices can also be applied in the bathrooms when taking showers. While waiting for the hot water to come out, don’t misuse the cold water since that water can be used to treat plants or grass in your garden. Also, invest wisely by buying an ultra-low volume flush model that utilizes not more than one and half a gallon every time you flush. Most importantly, avert wasting toilet water by flushing articles like cigarettes, facial tissue, or other trash.
If your house has a huge-sized garden, then it is encouraged to water plants early in the morning or late in the evening; this is because, during the day, a large amount of sunlight can cause massive evaporation, thus wasting the water that you might have provided some hours ago to the plants. Around 750 to 1500 gallons of water can be saved if a layer of mulch can be put around the trees and plants that can help to slow down evaporation. Drip irrigation can also be practiced as it supplies water solely to the root zones of the plant, preventing the water to get wasted. If you are passionate about gardening, try planting trees that can adapt well to the atmosphere of your locality. Choosing plants that are not grown in the atmosphere or environment where you live insinuates that you might have to provide an abundance of water or fertilizer to keep them active or alive.
IT IS NECESSARY TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE CONSERVATION OF THIS NATURAL RESOURCE IS CRUCIAL AND CRITICAL FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
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