I found that close to half the population of the developing world
is suffering from water-related diseases, over one billion have no source of
drinking water (Watkins, 2006), and the “lack of safe water and sanitation is
the world’s single largest cause of illness” (UNICEF, 2006). In rural Mozambique or Ethiopia, as well as
other developing areas in the world, women and young girls have to carry back
from rivers and lakes around 5 to 20 liters a day for miles in the backing sun (Watkins,
2006). Women are seen as the “water haulers of the world” (UNICEF, 2006), and
this obligation reduces their time for other productive activities, and for
girls to attend to school.
UNICEF has a program called WASH, which
stands for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene,
that equips schools with latrines, sinks with running water from a well, and
education materials in the classroom about best practices for hygiene.
If we have been blessed with the opportunity to get clean water with just a hand movement away, it is our responsibility to take care of it, because “Water is not just a commodity. It is a source of life, dignity and equality of opportunity” (Watkins, 2006, para. 10).
Here are some effective ways to save water “in and around home:
• Stop Leaks.
• Replace Old Toilets with models that use 1.6 gallons or less per flush.
• Replace Old Clothes Washers with EPA Energy Star certified
models.
• Plant the Right Kind of Garden that requires less water.
• Provide Only the Water
Plants Need” (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2009, pp.11-12).
References
- UNICEF. (2006). Children and water:
global statistics. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/wash/index_31600.html
- United States Environmental
Protection Agency. (2009). Water on tap what you need to know. Retrieved from http://water.epa.gov/drink/guide/upload/book_waterontap_full.pdf
- Watkins, Kevin. (2006, March 7). We cannot
tolerate children dying for a glass of water. The guardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2006/mar/08/water.comment
I am involved with a few organizations (mainly church organizations for these projects) that assist in digging wells and supplying a clean water supply for countries in Africa. Great opportunity! And eye opening for those that have only experienced the luxuries of clean faucet water.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with the conservation for those that do have the supply! Easiest thing to do is to simply put a baggie over a faucet or shower head overnight. If water is within it in the morning you know there is a problem.
Hi Shelly,
DeleteNice to "read you" again:) Yes, I found out that there are some local organizations that have that support this kind of project. I also found that IKEA (the home products store) is the largest corporate cash donor to UNICEF, through IKEA Foundation, and supports the WASH program.
I think your post was excellent! I like how you included practical ways to conserve water. Good job!
ReplyDeleteLove this post. I talked a little about water conservation in my economics course that I took. Water is becoming less and less especially with people wasting it. I try to do all I can at my house to conserve water. Great post!!
ReplyDeleteYou are right, when people in developed countries have all the luxuries at hand, they are not thinking about preservation of things like water. I had a roommate that was very conscience about water preservation. She would shout when she heard too much water running, “How much water does it take to brush your teeth!” I had to basically learn how to brush my teeth using less water. It was a good practice for me. I only turn the water on to wet my brush and rinse. I no longer leave the faucet running while brushing my teeth. It was a good lesson and I teach it to my kids now. I have learned to wash only when the load will be full so that I can conserve water. I will soon be in the process of remodeling my house, I will look for ways to conserve water by adhering to your advice about getting toilets that use less water to flush.
ReplyDeleteHi Caty,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you that we very often take for granted the very basic elements of life. I very recently heard of a minority tribe in Nepal, India where the entire family of 5 or 6 members have to survive with just one bucket of water for all their needs for the entire week.
Water shortage and misuse is a global problem and very recently here in Abu Dhabi where I live, the water disturbution company has started to bring about awareness among the consumers by marking their monthly bills with green symbols to depict conservative water users and red symbols to depict over users.
Caty,
ReplyDeleteWhat a practical post! Thank you for the tips. I have tried to make my preschool class aware of the privilege we have of having water when we need it. I find that not only do I have to remind them to wash their hands after using the restroom, but also be sure to turn the faucet off! They are so anxious to get back to activities in the classroom, they forget to turn off the water. It provides a good learning opportunity to discuss people who live "far away" who don't have enough water. We shouldn't waste ours!
Thank you for the information you shared about clean water. After reading you post I feel more informed as well as grateful that I have a clean water supply available to me and my family. In addition, I feel that I need to do more to conserve water because like Watkins stated, “Water is not just a commodity. It is a source of life, dignity and equality of opportunity”.
ReplyDelete