I am sure we are all following good-hygiene practices – in the wake of newCoronavirus. – especially the 20 second hand-wash routine for #safehands, #socialdistancing, to contain spread of the virus.
While we are at it diligently – keeping ourselves safe from the Coronavirus – an eye on the environment would surely be an added bonus.
Let us remember – water is a vital, limited, natural resource. But it can be replenished, if we are as diligent in using it as much as our health.
Monsoon in 2019 had progressed at the slowest pace in at least 12 years, and this year is predicted to be hotter than earlier.
- Nearly 60% of all our reservoirs run dry by June every year, and is largely dependent on monsoon rains to replenish.
- One billion people in India live with physical water scarcity, of which ~60% live in areas that are under extreme water stress.
- WHO estimates 1 in 9 people worldwide do not have access to safe and clean drinking water.
- Of the 17 most water stressed countries worldwide, India stands at 13th, with maximum rainfall among them.
- Groundwater is at its lowest in decades, with experts predicting that at least 15 of 21 cities in India will run dry in 2020 – we are already there!
- Consecutive years of drought and unviable agricultural practices hasn’t helped the matters either.
- We live in urban homes, with running tap water and must feel lucky to be among 3% of the world’s population.
- India has just 4% of global freshwater, but 16% of world’s population – this gap can be filled only by prudence and affirmative actions.
It comes back to the question – what can we do? Well, we definitely can.
- If your home has Roof-top rainwater recharge/reuse structures, now is the time to carryout maintenance, clear filters / silt-traps. (a 100 sqm roof top can conserve 1L liters rainwater pa)
- If your home has groundwater recharge pits, check for debris, desilt; if not create one . (a 3’ x 10’ pit can recharge ground with 60kl pa).
- Replace filters of water purifiers; utilize waste water of RO water purifiers for all cleaning purposes except direct consumption / cooking.
- Install low-flow aerators to your taps that can reduce water flow by 1/3rd. A 3 liter per minute aerator means, <1 liter per 20-second hand-wash.
- Recycle grey water; use recycled water for flushes. Wherever feasible, arrange to install a water treatment facility. Almost 80% of waste water goes untreated; recycling can reduce 50% of stress on freshwater.
- Choose your products of use wisely; make the shift to natural, sustainable, low water and energy consuming, locally available options.
Safe Hands | Save Water!
Stay Safe | Stay Healthy!
Source: NitiAayog, WHO, TOI, CSE, DTE
The earth, the air, the land and the water are not an inheritance from our forefathers but on loan from our children. So, we have to handover to them at least as it was handed over to us – Mahatma Gandhi
Wise | OtherWise 