Efforts towards water sustainability aim to ensure adequate high-quality water supplies in the future while minimizing water consumption and preserving aquatic ecosystems. Water scarcity is caused by climate change, pollution, bad habits, and urbanization. Governments, businesses, and individuals must take steps to reduce their environmental footprint and educate the public about water efficiency.
Efforts towards water sustainability ensure that adequate quantities of high-quality water supplies will be available in the future. Integrated water resource management is a delicate balancing act that aims to maximize the economic and social benefits that water resources provide by maintaining aquatic ecosystems. In addition to maximizing water supplies, these efforts also attempt to minimize water use.
Water scarcity results from climate change and poor water management practices such as pollution, bad habits and urbanization. As a result, many natural aquifers are over-pumped; half of the world’s wetlands have disappeared due to development. Over 1 billion people lack access to clean water and more than 5 million people die each year due to lack of clean water. It is estimated that 40 percent of the world’s population will live in areas with water scarcity by 2025. At the heart of water sustainability efforts is the belief that people should stop treating water as if it were an unlimited resource and start taking steps to preserve it.
To maximize water supplies, water managers build reservoirs, install large pipes and dig deep wells. They also carry out maintenance work on the water infrastructure. For example, treatment plants require expansion or rehabilitation after 20-50 years, while pipes need to be replaced after 15-100 years of use, depending on material type and environment.
Water sustainability efforts also aim to minimize water consumption by eliminating water wasting practices. Governments that understand the importance of water sustainability have taken steps to reduce their environmental footprint. For example, they raise the price of water and recover used water by chemically treating it. They also create incentive programs that encourage participants to reduce their water use by offering benefits such as subsidies or interest rate breaks on loans.
Under public pressure, companies are also taking steps to minimize their water footprint. Such efforts enhance their public image and maximize their business opportunities. Many businesses are looking to use water more efficiently and manage the quality of their liquid waste.
Water sustainability managers also educate people about the problem and encourage them to participate in limiting the amount of water they use. They encourage homeowners to install low-flow bathroom fixtures and use water-efficient electrical appliances, among other things. They also teach children in schools the importance of water efficiency, giving them tips on how to help save water.
A global study involving 1,000 people in 15 countries found that 93% of people believe water pollution is a very serious or somewhat serious problem. The study also found that 91 percent believe that freshwater shortages are a very serious or somewhat serious problem. Respondents believe governments bear the greatest responsibility for ensuring clean water supplies, with businesses and individuals supporting the effort.
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