The dependence on water, food and energy is one of the most formidable challenges facing the world. Without water there is no dignity and no escape from poverty, as 80% of the world’s population dwell in areas where fresh water supply is poor and scarce. Global analysts on water research say when calculating a composite index of water availability, it includes issues such as, scarcity and pollution, which encompasses 3.4 billion people. Sadly, in western countries such as, Europe and USA, conserving water through reservoirs and damns benefit the people, but not nature.
For developing countries with serious water management problems, Western experts say, governments should invest in water management strategies that combine infrastructure with natural options such as, protecting and managing flood plains, wetlands, and watersheds. During the early period of this year, there has been a scarcity of water due to the low water level in the catchment areas.
There has been an increase in kidney related diseases due to the poor quality of drinking water. The visual media, especially, local television channels have been highlighting the scarcity of drinking water in rural villages, resulting in contaminated water in many villages. The village folk in such areas have to journey long distances in search of drinking water.
World Water Day could be a beginning to become more aware of the importance of water. Trends in the modern futuristic world encourage new technology at the expense of nature.
Globally, we should urge all governments to recognize the urban water crisis for what it is. It is a crisis of governance, weak policies and poor management rather than one of scarcity. We should set back the alarming decline in poor investment in water and sanitation.
Globally, we must reaffirm our commitment to end the plight of more than 800 million people, who still do not have safe drinking water or sanitation necessary for good health.
Consuming polluted and brackish water could lead to kidney diseases, dental and bone diseases because of ground water containing a high degree of flouride and heavy metal molecules.
A large number of patients are recorded from Padaviya, Kuruwalagasweva, Mahawilachchia, Kekirawa, Galenbindunuweva and Medawachchia areas. Under these circumstances the alternative is to encourage the rural community to consume surface water instead of ground water. The large residue of toxic waste and chemicals used in agriculture pollute our waterways although most rivers have not been discoloured. The closer we get to urbanisation and industrialisation the water pollution levels would rise higher.
It is difficult to understand how urbanization can pollute water because it is an obvious stimulus in improving our living standards. Only 2.5% of the country’s population use pipe sewerage.
The others have on site sanitation which is a major cause of water pollution, under flooding and other weather conditions. Over the past years the number of city dwellers who lack access to tap water in their homes or the immediate vicinity has risen by an estimated 114 million and the number of those who lack access to the most basic sanitation facilities has risen to 134 million. This 20% increase has had a detrimental impact on human health and on economic productivity. At a time when climate change and natural disasters are creating problems around the world most people still enjoy the luxury of unobstructed access to clean water. It does not imply that we have an advantage over those who are deprived of clean water. It just means we have an extra responsibility to think deeply before using water unnecessarily.
In many countries children are forced to drop out of school due to a lack of sanitation facilities and women are exhausted carrying water, and harassed when using public toilets. The poorest are the most vulnerable sections of society often left with no choice but to buy water at prices estimated to be 20 to 100 percent higher than that of their rich neighbours who are privy to pipe borne water in their homes.
The government should take steps for an improved water management system and educate the people on the wastage of water, the widespread diseases caused by consuming unclean water and emphasize on the practice of rain water harvesting where possible.
We should make people aware of the advantage of using rain water for gardening, sanitation and other washing activities while using clean water only for cooking and drinking purposes. Water insecurity should be confronted with modern effective water management practices.
- Miran Perera