Water shortage has long been a pressing issue faced by various places around the world. It’s usually felt in underserved communities in developing countries. Unfortunately, this problem remains to this date. Despite the efforts of some organizations, there are still millions of people who are without access to clean drinking water. It doesn’t mean that we can just give up. People’s lives are at stake, and we have to do something about it. These are the ways to address the water crisis, and how a drinking water filtration system could be of help. To read an additional Berkey water filter review, check out the official website.
Educate the future generation
Since water shortage has been an issue for decades, some people believe that we have already solved it. Although progress has been made, there are still several places that need help. The reason why educating children is important is that they’re the future. If we couldn’t come up with the best ideas, they will. If they understand the problems faced by different communities, they will step up to the plate. They should also see how you’re doing it at home so they can start at an early age, and make water conservation a part of their guiding principles in life.
Educate adults too
Although children have to be educated about what’s going on, it’s unfortunate that they’re not the only ones who need to know more. Even adults also have to be given further information about the issue. Those who live a comfortable life and have no issue with water access don’t care about others. It’s time that they get educated about the plight of others, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Even in developed nations, the crisis is already felt. In Australia and Southwestern United States, some areas already suffer from the water crisis. Since our actions impact the rest of the world, everyone needs to know what’s going on. Information dissemination is the right step.
Recycle wastewater
Wastewater treatment is now at the heart of the water conservation efforts. We don’t seem to think about wastewater since it’s contaminated and unsafe for drinking. With the right technology, we can still make use of it. treating wastewater allows it to be safe for several uses, including drinking. In certain countries like Singapore, they no longer rely on water imports because they harnessed this technology. They’re now more self-sufficient. Considering that Singapore doesn’t have natural freshwater sources, its success in treating wastewater deserves commendation.
Improve agricultural practices
There’s no doubt that water is crucial in agriculture. Without water, crops will die. The problem is that irrigation systems are too wasteful. If we change the practice, we could save a lot of water. We have to invest in technology that allows us to reduce the amount of water needed for the crops and use every drop of water wisely.
The price of water needs to be appropriate
Everyone would agree with the idea that water access is a basic human right. Unfortunately, there are countries where water is overpriced. Hence, even if it’s available, a lot of people couldn’t afford it. Some countries argue that increased water prices could help solve other issues such as pollution. The government could also use the revenue to build more infrastructure to deliver water to underserved communities. The truth is that the high price of water hasn’t led to these changes. It only deprives more people the chance to drink clean water. There needs to be a thorough evaluation of water pricing around the world, and changes have to happen.
Give a voice to local communities
The problem is that the people trying to solve the water crisis don’t experience the problems themselves. Hence, they don’t understand what’s going on, and how dire the situation is. It helps if we can give local community leaders a seat on the table. They understand the crisis well, and they might already have solutions to some problems. If they’re allowed to speak up and partner with the government, the issue could be addressed.
Improve distribution of infrastructure funds
The best way to address the water crisis is to have efficient water infrastructure. The problem is that the distribution of funds in some places isn’t fair. Underserved communities lack funding while wealthy communities have more. We have to rethink how we utilize our financial resources and prioritize those who are in more need. Sure, everyone faces problems, but those who couldn’t drink water definitely have more urgent needs. Their concerns should be on top when discussing policy changes and monetary allocations.
Improve international cooperation
Some countries are lucky to have groundwater resources and funds for infrastructure. Others don’t have both. They couldn’t rely on themselves to survive. Therefore, international cooperation should be enhanced. However, it shouldn’t be in a way that further punishes those who ask for help. The problem is that richer countries lend their technology and resources in exchange for something. The goal should be to help those who are in dire need of water, and there should be no strings attached when helping these communities.
Solve pollution
We have a lot of drinking water sources. The problem is that they’re polluted. When we couldn’t harness these sources, many people will be deprived of drinking water. Therefore, we have to step up our efforts to solve pollution. We can start it at home. Segregating trash would help. If you don’t do it, the waste materials thrown end up in landfills. Others throw their trash in the open waters. Changing the way, we manage trash at home is the best step towards solving pollution on a bigger scale. If there are efforts to clean up coastal areas, you should also take part. Sure, we need to knock on the government to do something about the problem, but we should also be proactive.
It might seem like this issue is hopeless. Water shortage remains a problem until now. The truth is that we can still change this reality. We have to step up and think about others who aren’t as fortunate as us.
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