Thursday, October 17, 2013

Why Wastewater Management Is So Important?

By Adam Finan


Water is among the most important natural resources essential for the life and well-being of all living creatures in our planet. Just 3 percent of world water resources contain fresh water and some part of it is locked in glaciers and ice caps. There is also fresh water in remote areas that are inaccessible for people. As a result only 0.08 percent of the fresh water is used to meet the needs of mankind that include manufacturing, drinking, environment, sanitation, leisure, etc.

The results of a study conducted in 2007 are discouraging. It shows that more than 1.6 billion people suffer from water scarcity due to economical reasons, i.e. their local authorities cannot meet the rising needs for water in these regions mainly because of the insufficient investments. The enormous number of another 1.2 billion people all over the world does not have enough water to meet their everyday needs.

Since half part of the world population is concentrated in the cities and urban centers, the natural water sources located around the cities are polluted by industrial and urban wastewater. The cities should develop systems for treating the wastewater; otherwise, there could be a risk for people's health related to the use of wastewater, containing different pollutants, such as heavy metals, pathogens, etc.

Because of the limited quantity of the fresh water, people have directed their efforts at water management and optimization of its use. In many areas, water comes in the form of harvested rainwater, so people should learn how to manage it efficiently. The rainwater is usually collected in barrels to be used in those periods when there is little or no rain and for agricultural purposes. The groundwater needs to be utilized as well. People drill wells and use this water both for drinking and agricultural purposes. People should also revive and manage lakes that can collect the water to make it accessible to the nearby residents.

The major consumer that uses up to 70 percent of freshwater resources is agriculture. The increasing world population requires more food. As a result the industrial and urban centers expand more and more, so the scarcity of water becomes a major issue in many regions around the world.

There are six major steps that should be done to resolve the water problems globally, but every individual should take part in these simple strategies and contribute to improve the situation.

First, we need to improve all water related data. Second, we should protect and treasure our environment, preventing further pollution. Third, water governance should be reformed. Fourth, the agricultural water use should be revitalized. Fifth, the urban and industrial water demand should be managed. Sixth, the women and poor people should have an access to the water resources and their management.

The global water crisis can be prevented, if we strictly follow these simple steps. It is very important that all industries and big urban centers learn to properly use the water, so the greatest part of it could be directed to the agriculture. Since the world population grows each and every year, the growing demand for more and more food should be met.




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