What is needed to get clean drinking water to water-stressed communities?

According to the Sustainability Survey Poll on Water, virtually every industry in the world expects major systemic transformations in its strategic planning, manufacturing techniques, and business models over the next decade. 

The poll, conducted by GlobeScan, an international public and stakeholder opinion research agency, and SustainAbility, a think tank, and corporate strategy consultant, asked, “What technology or behavioral changes show the most promise for managing water shortages over the next 10 years?” The opinions of the experts resulted in 19 consensus solutions.

According to Jeff Erikson, the decisions executives make in response to freshwater scarcity will affect practically every area of their corporate operations. The various solutions demonstrated the complexities of dealing with water constraints. Population expansion, urbanization, agricultural productivity, and climate change are all increasing competition for fresh water and causing shortages. Here are some of the solutions:

Education to change consumption and lifestyle 

Finally, changing the face of this catastrophe requires education to encourage new habits. Coping with the approaching era of water scarcity would necessitate a massive revamp of all types of consumption, from individual use to huge firms’ supply chains. Some regions, led by India, Australia, and the Southwest United States, are already experiencing a freshwater crisis. The most important objective is to ensure that the situation is widely acknowledged around the world, and help the poor in need. 

Create novel water-saving technologies.

Innovation is required in locations where aquifers are drying up and rains are becoming increasingly unpredictable. However, as we try to deal with freshwater scarcity and create conservation methods, energy usage is a crucial factor to consider. Till then we can help feed the hungry organization to help the people who need freshwater. 

Wastewater should be recycled

Panelists at World Water Day in March recommended a shift in thinking about wastewater treatment. Some countries, such as Singapore, are attempting to recycle to reduce water imports and become more self-sufficient. The wealthy East Asian republic is a pioneer in the development of innovative wastewater treatment technology.

Improve agriculture and irrigation methods

Agriculture consumes over 70% of the world’s freshwater. Improving irrigation can aid in the closing of supply and demand mismatches. In certain cases, excessive irrigation practices from a bygone era have undermined farmers’ ability to give food and fiber to a developing globe. The Murray-Darling basin in Australia, the Aral Sea in Central Asia, and the American Southwest are all examples.

Water should be priced appropriately

Water pricing and rights are inextricably linked, with consumers questioning the value of rising rates. Increasing costs, according to experts from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), an international economic conference of 31 of the world’s wealthiest countries, will help reduce waste and pollution. However, a Circle of Blue examination into water pricing systems in key U.S. cities in May revealed that present utility pricing systems are outmoded, convey the wrong signals, and require revision.

Construct energy-efficient desalination plants

Desalination has traditionally been an energy-intensive solution to water scarcity. Historically, the Middle East has used its vast energy reserves to construct desalination plants. However, Saudi Arabia’s recent announcement to use solar-powered plants may be encouraging a new type of desalination. With small-scale agricultural facilities, Britain has taken a different strategy. However, these breakthroughs highlight another critical resource: finance for technical experimentation.

Enhance water capture and harvesting

Water catchment systems are critical in locations where there are no other reliable water sources. Pakistan and India, two countries dealing with some of the most severe effects of climate change, are revamping their rainwater collection systems. These initiatives enable autonomous water resource management.

Consider community-based governance and collaboration

Community organizations enhance the experiences of individuals whose voices should have more power. In April indigenous communities gathered in Bolivia for an alternative climate change conference aimed at fostering international alliances among underrepresented groups. Increasing the effectiveness of grassroots governance provides communities legitimacy and can lead to effective policy changes on a national scale.

Create and implement improved policies & regulations

Governments must reframe their role as water scarcity challenges food security and pollution. The United States government is considering expanding the Clean Water Act to provide more safeguards. Meanwhile, in Russia, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has permitted the release of garbage into Lake Baikal, one of the world’s greatest sources of fresh water.

Ecosystems must be managed holistically

Simply expressed, holistic management refers to a realistic, common-sense approach to managing natural resources that consider economic, cultural, and ecological objectives. In turn, the crops absorb nutrients and cleanse effluent, lowering pumping and treatment expenses dramatically.

Increase the distribution infrastructure

Poor infrastructure is harmful to both health and the economy. It wastes resources, raises expenses, reduces the quality of life, and promotes the spread of preventable water-borne infections among vulnerable groups, particularly children. Pipes rupture regularly in the United States, generating boil warnings. Sewage treatment systems frequently overflow and fail, resulting in beach closures.

Reduce corporate water footprints

Industrial water usage accounts for around 22% of global demand. The corporate footprint comprises water that is consumed both directly and indirectly when items are manufactured. Given the increasing severity of water scarcity, Peter Gleick and other scientists are calling into question the expenses of one economic sector in particular: bottled water.

Create international structures and institutional partnerships

It is difficult to reach legally binding international agreements on natural resource issues. The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in 2009 is proof of this. Regional agreements including transboundary or shared water bodies, such as the Great Lakes Compact in the United States and the Nile River basin accord in Africa, are as challenging to ratify. However, governments and advocates must continue to strive. Humanitarian accords, such as the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals for drinking water, show that comprehensive global solutions are attainable.

Deal with pollution

Water quality measurement and monitoring are critical for human health and biodiversity. It is critical to developing international bridges to solutions while ensuring the quality of drinking water on a local level.

Common public resources / equitable access

Access to safe drinking water is one of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). As countries such as Chile strive to modify water rights, legislators in the United States are debating how access rights translate into the federal protection of Lake Michigan, one of the world’s greatest freshwater reserves.

Wrapping up 

We need to work up instantly to have fresh water reserved for future generations and also to help the poor in need. Let’s join our hands together and make a better place for our future generation.