Save Water, Save Life!

Did you know that water accounts for 75% of the human body?

Despite being an essential natural resource to life, 2.2 billion people around the world do not have access to safe water and 1.37 billion people lack access to proper sanitation facilities. On the occasion of World Water Week, let us look at how water is being wasted, where it will lead us and what we can do to prevent global water shortage.

Here are few ways in which water is wasted every day:

1. An average person uses 20-50 litres of water a day and 27% of this goes towards bathing and toilet use.
2. A leaking faucet can waste up to 15 litres of water in a day.
3. A flush of the toilet uses 6 litres of water on average.
4. According to India Education Diary, Kolkata wastes approximately 50% of the water that it receives. Bangalore comes a close second at 49%. New Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai waste approximately 26%, 20% and 18% water respectively.
5. The agricultural sector consumes about 70% of freshwater available naturally. 
6. An average swimming pool consumes about 3785 litres of water in a month. This is due to evaporation.

How is this affecting us?

1. In 2018, approximately 163 million Indians didn’t have access to safe drinking water. 
2. 21% of all communicable diseases are linked to unsafe drinking water.
3. By 2025, 1 billion additional people will need water and agriculture alone will require another 1 trillion cubic meters of water per day.
4. Experts predict that around two-thirds of the world’s population will face water scarcity by 2025.

What can you do?

1. A family of four can save 52,995 litres to 94,635 litres per year by switching from old style toilets to newer ones that are more efficient.
2. Take shorter showers.
3. Water your lawn only when needed.
4. Plant drought-resistant trees and plants in your garden.
5. Don’t run the hose while washing your car.

The United Nations sums it up best: Water will always be a basic necessity of man, regardless of era and creed, and our collective future depends on its sustainability today. Water, in essence, represents life. By saving water, we save lives.

Now that you are equipped with the knowledge to save water, it is time to act! This World Water Week, let’s spread awareness about conserving water and do our bit in saving the elixir of life.

After all, it is the small things that make a big difference.