Why Wastewater Management Is So Important?

By Jonny Blair


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.

Water scarcity is quite a big issue in many regions according to the recent studies. One such study made in 2007 showed that more than 1.2 billion people worldwide are affected by water scarcity. They have no enough fresh water to meet their needs. In other regions where other 1.6 billion of people reside, the authorities do not have enough investments or human capacity to meet the rising demand for water, so these people suffer by economical water scarcity.

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.

Since the water problems are global, we need to follow a global plan for resolving these widespread problems. The following six major strategies should be taken by any individual around the world, who would like to save the life on our planet.

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.

These steps will help us avoid the global water crisis, which treats to be devastating for our planet. The water should be used efficiently in big urban centers and by all kind of industries. This will allow people to direct more water to food production, so that there would be more food for the increasing world population.




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