WATER CRISIS

     Water is an essential fundamental resource for life. Years of bad habits and ignorant decisions is now spoiling and depleting this natural resource. Often we hear and see areas and populations in need of water, but we don’t really care because it is not directly effecting us. Us as in the ones flushed in water and can run through our daily lives without thinking, where will I find my next gallon of fresh clean water? We need to stop believing that access to water is an accessible and natural thing as long as we are not facing water scarcity in our region. The world needs to join hands in finding solutions to reduce the world’s water footprint.

     Water crisis is a natural and human issue that is apparent when the water supply is less than demand. Water is used for agriculture, industrial, and, domestic uses. To make a long list short, if we don’t have water there is no life to live and many communities develop into poverty stricken areas. Water scarcity is the result of physical (climate change, drought, floods, and geography) and economic (engineering, regulations, competition for resources, and water management) issues. Only one percent of our water is fresh. Some regions are relatively flushed with water while, others face drought, pollution, and contamination of sanitation related diseases (malaria, parasitic worms, E. coli, cholera, typhoid, and salmonella). In order to save the world’s water and to meet the water deficiencies of developing countries communities’, there needs to be new technology and innovative ideas introduced to countries and we also need to be educated on how to preserve water.

     It is time to do something about water shortage. According to circleofblue.org the shift of public perception of the value of water, is prompting governments and companies to view clean water not only as a commodity to exploit but, as a precious resource. Solutions to this water crisis starts with small improvements in our individual homes, depending less on water as a source of energy, filtration systems, building latrines, building wells, improved rain water catchments, fixing or updating water infrastructures, and overall improvement of policies and regulations.

 

Improvements Within Homes

 

     Practicing saving water in your homes can lead to cheaper utility bills. Believe it or not, this water crisis is effecting you. The amount of water accessible determines the prices of water bills and energy bills.“Conservation of water can also extend the life of your septic system by reducing soil saturation, and reducing any pollution due to leaks. Overloading municipal sewer systems can also cause untreated sewage to flow to lakes and rivers. The smaller the amount of water flowing through these systems, the lower the likelihood of pollution. In some communities, costly sewage system expansion has been avoided by communitywide household water conservation” (eartheasy).

Use simple steps:

• Invest in energy saving appliances­

• Unplug appliances

• Check leaks within and around your house

• Close the pipe when you are not actually using the water

• Wash full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine. "With clothes washers, avoid the permanent press cycle, which uses an added 20 liters (5 gallons) for the extra rinse. For partial loads, adjust water levels to match the size of the load. Replace old clothes washers. New Energy Star rated washers use 35 - 50% less water and 50% less energy per load" (eartheasy). Consider buying energy saving washers.

•  Recycle. Don’t throw contaminants down the drain. Use the right disposable methods for grease and hazardous chemicals, this leads to polluted waters.

• Water your lawn when it needs it. Your lawn only needs one inch of water a week. To check to see if your lawn needs water step on it and if the grass springs back then is fine. It is also good to let your grass grow up to three inches promotes water retention in the soil.

• Build your own land irrigation system

• Invest in energy saving appliances