Water Scarcity and Sustainable Water Management

By Dylan Yu.

Water is a necessary resource [1]. As of today, about 650 million people, or a tenth of the population don’t have access to clean drinking water. These figures become bleak when we consider the death toll: about 3.5 million people die due to inadequate water, sanitation, or hygiene. Water scarcity is a problem, but the main issue revolves around the cleanliness and sanitation of the water itself. The World Health Organization reports that around 88% of deaths are due to diarrheal diseases, which accounts for about 900 children worldwide per day (one child every two minutes). As more of these statistics come to light, it proves how pressing of an issue it is and why the UNDRR must focus on this matter [2].

When we examine issues surrounding water scarcity, we tend to direct our attention to the lack of safe potable water and the communities that don’t have access to it. However, to provide sufficient water to these communities, it is equally necessary to address the issue of water wastage. At this time, it is estimated that about 1.7 trillion gallons of water are wasted per year, or about 6.5 trillion liters [3]. Several aspects contribute to water waste globally: improper plumbing, climate change, and industrial waste. However, among the most pressing issues is wastage in the agricultural sector.

Throughout the world, about 70% of all water is consumed by farms, and 40% of that is lost through poor irrigation, evaporation, and poor water management. Knowing this, emphasizing providing up-to-date irrigation and training to farmers worldwide becomes imperative. A crucial part of reducing water waste within agriculture is first to provide the proper equipment—in particular, the use of drip irrigation systems. Data shows that, with properly installed drip irrigation systems, we can effectively reduce 80% more waste than regular irrigation systems. Additionally, we can alleviate pressure from local watersheds, since drip irrigation uses water from other natural water sources [10]. The use of drip irrigation in water-stressed and developing nations isn’t a new revelation. For example, in Ethiopia, a study in the Kilte-Awlaelo District that recorded household income and improvements after introducing a small-scale drip irrigation system revealed a 24.3% increase in livestock income and an increase in crop production income by 68.8% [11].The long-term benefits are apparent—a drip irrigation system saves water, mitigates erosion, and reduces the spread of diseases through crops. However, the high initial investment necessary for drip irrigation systems poses a difficult barrier for farmers in many nations, and obtaining the capital remains a substantial challenge.

References:

[1] “Other Uses and Types of Water”

https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/other/index.html

[2] “World Water Day Reminds Us of a Precious Resource

https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/world-water-day-reminds-us-value-precious-resource

[3] “Water Waste Facts”