Water – The New Oil

September 15, 2020 Stan

Water keeps our body fit, avoid exhaustion, boost up energy levels, make organs hydrated and eliminate waste. But this is not all! What about water in a global perspective. Right now we do not regard water important alike other forms of fuel. Therefore its conservation, utilization, administration do not bother anyone. What so ever water feuds would arise, chaos would stem out of shortages, threaten health and economies of the world.

Apparently, Earth comprises of nearly 70% of water. Out of which only 2.5% is clean and fresh. We have a fraction of access to this water. The Earth’s water cycle has been replenishing reservoirs, canals and aquifers but urbanization is putting this cycle under immense stress. In other words people are using the same small supply of water.

Middle East countries have abundant supply of oil but lack water. Countries like Iraq, Syria and Turkey use water from shared rivers. Thus obtaining adequate water supply from rivers is a high political priority. This increases Global tension and the situation becomes alarming.

According to World Health Organization almost 80 countries have water shortages and nearly 1 billion people in the world do not have access to clean water or sanitation. A prime concern about these shortages is the ever increasing population. This augments the gap between the demand and supply of water. Industrial, agricultural as well as individual needs cannot cope up with its scarcity.

Escalation in population solitarily does not relate for increased water demand. Leakages in supply networks have further worsen the gloomy situation. Climatic conditions play vital role in this developing scenario. Higher temperatures and more droughts force the area with lesser agricultural land. Thus many countries suffer desertification.

The best strategy to combat growing global water problems is to reduce pollution. Invest heavily in new technology for treating waste water. Like in the Singapore “Membrane Technology” treats water waste, coming from toilets and sinks into clean and ready to drink water.

Australia, though it is surrounded by water but it is the driest continent of the world. Living on such a continent is to expend water sensibly. To save its water supplies, the Australian government banned car and window washing. Big subsidies and cash back rebates are given to people for installing water efficient machines.

Truly the best way to save water is to use it carefully. Awareness of conserving it and its natural magnitude should be known globally. There is no alternate to water as we do have with other form of fuels like oil, petrol, kerosene, natural gas, coal, solar energy. Think before wasting water – it could never be replaced!