INTRODUCTION:
Keeping rivers and lakes clean is the duty of every citizen as they are the source
of our drinking water and food production. Once these water streams are polluted,
there is hardly a way outRivers are a lifeline to humans as they benefit them in
various ways. Rivers are not only the source of water for human consumption but
they also sustain agriculture and benefit us in other ways.
Once the water in rivers gets polluted, there are several harmful implications for
us humans. Hence, we should always strive to keep our rivers clean and free from
pollution.
~Here are some steps we can take to help control pollution in rivers.
*Always avoid releasing untreated sewage into lakes and rivers as it gets mix with
water and pollutes it.
*Don't throw any solid waste into the water streams as it clogs the flow of water
thereby leading to pollution.
*Avoid releasing construction waste into the river. Use organic gardening
techniques and avoid using pesticides and other herbicides.
*Avoid releasing harmful chemicals and oils into storm drains or rivers.
*Always check that your car engine is not spilling oil that finds its way into
drains and then rivers.
~The preservation of our lakes is a crucial aspect of environmental conservation.
Here are some effective strategies to safeguard our lakes:
Implementing sustainable farming practices to reduce agricultural runoff
Cultivating indigenous trees and plant life along the lakeshores and riverbanks to
prevent soil erosion
Initiating lake revival projects using environmentally friendly and sustainable
technologies
Prohibiting the discharge of sewage and other waste materials into lakes
Did you know that only 3% of the Earth’s water is fresh-water? And of that 3%,
2/3rds is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps. That means only 1% of the Earth’s
freshwater supply is accessible for use! This is why it is so important to conserve
the limited amount of water that we do have.
The average American uses 80-100 gallons of water every day, in California we use
between 85 and 251 depending on were you live! Nationwide we use twice the global
average and in some parts of California we use four times as much. If everybody
does a little bit here and there, we will be able to cut down on consumption and
preserve this valuable resource and save our rivers. Here is a list of ways…TO SAVE
YOUR RIVER!
General Ideas
1. Instead of using the air conditioning when it gets hot, turn on the fan. It
will only take about an hour to cool down your house, saving you money and water.
2. Buy recycled paper products as opposed to “virgin” paper products. Recycled
paper requires far less water than brand new paper production.
3. Insulating your pipes will not only save you money in energy costs, you won’t
waste water when you’re waiting for it to heat up.
4. If you accidentally drop an ice cube, don’t throw it down the sink, use it to
water a house plant.
5. Collect the water that you run while waiting for the water to reach your
desired temperature and use it to water plants. This same idea applies for shower
and bath water too!
6. And if you have left over ice from a to-go cup, instead of dumping it down the
sink, also use it to water a plant.
7. Buy a reusable water bottle and use it. The production of 1 imported bottle of
water uses 6.74 kilograms of water. This is the equivalent of 15 pounds of water,
which is close to 2 gallons! Imagine if you drink a bottle every day (way below the
recommended amount) that would be 365 days x 2 gallons per bottle= 730 gallons of
water a year wasted just in production.
8. Fix your leaky faucets. One small drip leaks about 20 gallons a day.
9. Only run your dishwasher and laundry machine when you have full loads, this
will save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
10. If you have a pool, keep a cover on it when not in use. This will prevent
evaporation and keep your pool cleaner. Covering your pool can save up to 250
gallons a week plus the cost that chemicals would have been to clean it more
frequently.
11. An easy one is to clear off your driveway and sidewalks by using a broom,
instead of the hose.
12. Use cat litter or sand instead of salt on icy walkways. Not only does salt
pollute water, but it also kills plants.
Why Do We Need To Save Water?
Freshwater is becoming more of a scarce resource with each passing year. Population
increase has caused a rise in the water demand, while severe droughts have limited
its supply.
We need to save water to keep our daily activities going, to grow the food that we
eat and to preserve natural habitats. Saving water also reduces the burden on water
treatment facilities, saves money and energy.
More importantly, saving water ensures that we make a sufficient supply of water
available for future generations. It also makes it possible for areas with little
access to water to get enough to cater to their needs.
This article will examine the reasons and benefits of saving water and simple
techniques to help you save more water.
Water is part of our daily life
Water is a limited resource that we are all guilty of taking for granted. By
conserving water, more people in the world will have enough water to perform
essential day-to-day activities.
We use water in almost everything; it is part of our daily routines and is
indispensable. For example, water is a compulsory component in preparing the
majority of the food we eat.
Water is needed to stay clean, take baths, and ensure a hygienic environment.
Cleaning the basics like clothes, cars, dishes, utensils all require water. We also
need to drink at least half a gallon of water daily. The body can survive without
food for up to two months, but the organs begin to shut down after three days
without water. To continue to perform these daily activities and keep our bodies
healthy, we must look at ways to save water and avoid wastage.
Food can’t grow without water
Humans and animals need food. Plants provide food for both. When there is a water
shortage, plants can’t grow because they need water to transport minerals and
nutrients from the soil for cooling and photosynthesis.
Agriculture is the primary source of food production, and globally, about 70% of
the world’s fresh water is used to irrigate crops. When there is a drought, plants
will die, and it becomes difficult to grow food.
What happens when there is no water to grow plants? There will be famine, and the
population will starve.
Take a look at the impact of the drought conditions in California. It has affected
food production and threatened the water supply. As a result, authorities have
urged citizens to conserve water to help speed up emergency drought responses.
Cultivating the habit of saving water means having sufficient water to grow food
and sustain life even during droughts. It also ensures that plants can survive and
the ecosystem is protected.
Wastewater affects the environment
About 80% of the world’s wastewater goes back into the environment without being
treated, which means about 1.8 billion people use a contaminated source of drinking
water.
Wastewater is a product of agricultural, industrial, and domestic household
practices. Wastewater’s acidity has harmful effects on the environment. When it
flows into streams in large quantities, it can raise its temperature, leading to
the disturbance of the natural balance of aquatic life.
When you use a lot of water, you increase the quantity of wastewater that goes back
to the environment untreated. For example, 62% of indoor water use comes from
faucets, toilets, and showers. According to the United States Environmental
Protection Agency (US EPA), about 23,000 to 75,000 sanitary sewers are overflowing
each year.
Adopting innovative water saving techniques can significantly reduce the amount of
wastewater that goes into the environment.
There is a limited water supply
Only 2.5% of all water on earth is freshwater, and less than 1% of this is
accessible to humans. Not many people think about the sources of water or how much
is available for use. Some people believe that we have unlimited access to water,
but that is not true.
As the world population continues to increase, water is becoming less accessible.
Moreover, with bio-energy demands and climate change, this water crisis is likely
to be amplified.
By 2050, researchers estimate that nearly half of the world’s population will live
in water scarcity areas. By the end of the century, water deficit is projected to
affect about 700 million people globally. These statistics point to one thing: we
need to save water.
