Chances are that you don’t think about your water supply outside of how much your water bill is every month. However, you should think beyond the way water immediately affects you because water sustainability is a global issue.
Countries worldwide should focus on sustainable water management to sustain life and ensure everyone’s access to fresh water. But what is sustainable water management?
In this article, you’ll learn what exactly sustainable water management is, why it’s important, and possible solutions to avoid a worse water crisis and improve everyone’s access to drinking water.
What Is Sustainable Water Management?
Let’s start with the basics of sustainable water management.
Sustainable water management is the process of meeting current water needs without compromising future water needs. That is to say that we want to ensure that everyone has access to clean water today but not at the expense of future generations to come.
Sustainable water management is a complex issue with social, economic, and environmental consequences. In essence, everyone on the planet should have access to an adequate water resource for drinking, sanitation purposes, and other vital uses for sustaining life.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the reality around the globe, with many individuals and communities suffering from water stress.
Let’s discuss why sustainable water management is so important.
Why Is Sustainable Water Management Important?
As we all know, fresh water is essential to life on earth. Human beings alone are made from 70% water, emphasizing the need for each person to access enough water to live. As we deplete our water supply – of which there are no alternative water resources – we essentially diminish the chances of human and other life surviving.
We can ensure that we can meet the water use needs of every individual by effectively managing the earth’s water resources. Sadly, this isn’t what’s happening today, as water has become somewhat of a commodity, and, in some areas, water scarcity is the norm.
As society and technology evolve and populations grow, the water demand continues to rise, but it isn’t equitably distributed.
The good news is that there are a few solutions that can promote sustainable water management around the globe and minimize water scarcity. Let’s take a look at what some of those solutions are.
Sustainable Water Management — What Can Be Done?
Sustainable water management continues to be a growing issue every day, which is why there are scientists and activists around the world dedicating their time to finding solutions to improve the situation and ensure a better future.
Here are a few ways that you can support sustainable water use.
Creating New Policies
The most efficient way to improve sustainable water management is through high levels of government implementing new water governance policies and better water system planning. This is particularly needed for larger cities with the biggest sustainability issues.
Moreover, water sustainability looks different in every city based on their economies, locations, and societal standards. Hence, every city needs to come up with specified solutions.
Leverage Technology for More Water
The power of technology has advanced the world in many ways and provided solutions to various problems, so why not use it to improve sustainable water management?
There’s technology that’s not only able to increase our water supply, but there’s also technology that’s able to improve access to water security for populations around the world.
This is possible through desalination, which removes dissolved mineral salts from water to make it safe for human consumption and irrigation. Other options include water reuse through stormwater runoff or wastewater treatment.
While we shouldn’t put increasing our water supply above developing long-term water resource management techniques, technology is still a great tool to help boost sustainable water management.
The Use of Water-Saving Devices
As we continue to develop innovative ways to save water and improve water availability, various water-saving devices empower businesses and establishments to make smart water decisions using applied science.
For example, SmarterHomes produces water usage meter devices called WaterOn. These devices are smart meters and automated leakage prevention systems. According to the World Bank, these devices have been used in apartment buildings in India and helped save 40,000 households an average of 35% of their water consumption.
Taking advantage of water-saving technologies leads to better sustainable water management for a better future.
Conclusion: Sustainable Water Management Starts at Home
Although sustainable water management may seem like a large global issue, each one of us has a responsibility to help the cause. You can do your part by making a few simple changes to your habits, being conscious of your water consumption, and practicing sustainable use. For example:
- Turn off the faucet while not in use while brushing your teeth or washing dishes.
- Take shorter and more efficient showers.
- If you plan an outdoor event, stay mindful of the water you use. (Did you know that 50% of water is utilized outdoors?)
When planning for water at your event, consider letting Quench Buggy take care of ensuring that the drinkable water management at your event signs with sustainable practices. Contact us today about renting a mobile drinking water refill station for your next event.