Water is one of the essential components of life. Without water, life becomes difficult, for the people, plants as well as animals. Water exists in different kinds. It exists as a precipitate, liquid, solid (ice), or even water vapor (gas). Water plays various functions in the world; it is the source of life, upon which all living things depend on for survival.
Water wastage, as well as the increased levels of water pollution, is a major issue in the world today. Various water bodies have been made dirty and even polluted through different means. Wastes, both industrial and domestic have found their way into the primary water sources. Water pollution and even the high levels of wastage are major concerns for everyone in the society. The application of various water conservation measures can help solve the problem, hence making it a better chance for everyone involved in the process to benefit (Johnson, 2013).
Water can be found naturally in the water bodies such as the ocean, the lakes, the seas, rivers and even springs. However, water can be obtained artificially, through the use of technologies, either to purify it for human utilization and consumption, or even to make it fit for industrial use. Water has many uses in the world, including animal and human consumption, the raw material for industrial activities, domestic and general industrial applications, as well as the primary source of life, for plants and animals.
The world is however divided into various climatic zones, where water percentages vary, with the variation in the rainfall frequency and intensity, as well as the general weather conditions that prevail in a place. The world has the Mediterranean and the tropical and rain forest zones that have a lot of water, and high levels of rainfall intensity. The world, however, has the arid and semi-arid areas which receive small volumes of rain per year. The desert climate is the worst, which can be divided into either the cold or the hot deserts. The deserts have no water, which makes it tough for the humans, animals, and plants to survive.
Water conservation, therefore, comes into play so as to enhance the lives of both the people and the animals, in a bit to control and even manage the use of water, as well as sustaining the lives and development. Water conservation comes with the use of various, straightforward and complicated technologies. The technology used depends on various factors, such as the amount of water needed, per unit time, the purpose of purifying the water, as well as a source of the water (Chong & Saint, c. 2010).
Water conservation goes hand in hand with the soil preservation and protection. The procedures used depend on the availability of the technology as well as the availability of the manpower. There are various ways of conserving water, even at the home level. The use of the maintenance procedures is very necessary and important for water conservation. Checking for the leaking pipes and faults is a standard measure of conserving water (Earth easy, 2014).
Conservation of water starts at home, by checking all leaks, making sure that no hidden holes are in the house and that all taps are not left running. Water conservation ensures that there is water left, for the generations to come. If water is taken care of, pollution is reduced and even minimized using the simple means possible; then there’s the assurance that there shall be water for the generations to come (Finch, 2013).
The use of technology is a major way of conserving and making sure that water wastage is minimized. There are various levels of enhancing the productivity and efficiency, which also makes sure that the water use, is reduced. The use of sprinklers in irrigation farming and the use of highly proficient technologies on the shower heads ensure that the water loss is minimized by the greatest margin (Gies, 2011).
Water conservation can be achieved through the use of three primary strategies. These strategies include the reduction of the water loss, the application of procedures and technologies to enhance the water management efforts, as well as the reduction of water pollution (Blanke et al., 2007). The government, local, regional or even the national government should put the measures to ensure that there is no water wastage. Water conservation can be carried out at home, at the schools, the workplace or even at the industrial level. The application of the new technologies used in the conservation of water is important in achieving the water conservation goals.
Devices and facilities such as the Waterless urinals, Waterless car washes, application of drip irrigation instead of the overhead irrigation, as well as applying water harvesting mechanisms are significant steps towards water conservation. The use of low water flush- toilets is another way of conserving water.
Water conservation, however, faces various challenges. The whole process is expensive and time-consuming, hence, it needs a lot of money to run and maintain. In many cases, the amount of water that infiltrates into the ground cannot be obtained without the use of technology. Money and resources are used up in the process of conserving water.
High demands for water, both domestic and industrial are a major channel of water wastage. Households need water for cleaning and even upkeep, which makes it tough to enhance the water utilization efficiency. The homes need water for the washrooms, cleaning and washing as well as general home use. In most cases, a lot of water goes to waste, making it tough for conservations to take place (Schaible & Aillery, 2012).
The agricultural and the industrial sectors need a lot of water for upkeep and making sure that the machines keep running. Industries need water to cool their machines, make mixtures and even act as solvents for their various activities, without water, manufacturers find it very hard to run, and so it becomes a major concern for everyone involved (Sachs, 2013).
Water pollution
Water pollution is a global issue that has been a major challenge in achieving individual global goals and objectives. In many countries, many water sources have been polluted, raising the question of whether any rules and guidelines protect the environment. There are many sources of water pollution, which in most cases occur in small quantities or enlarge amounts. Water pollution can be caused by the improper disposal of domestic and industrial wastes. Wastes from industries and homes can be directed to water sources as liquid, solid or even gasses. Once the waste is in the water, the water becomes unfit and even secure for consumption.
Water pollution can also be caused by the spillage of unwanted materials into the large water bodies such as the oceans, the lakes, and the seas. Spillage such as the oils and the generic petroleum products are very harmful to the animals living in the water, the plants growing in the water, and offshore, as well as the humans and animals that use the water for various purposes (Figueiredo, 2014).
Toxic wastes and the disposal of non-biodegradable materials in the waters acts as a major challenge in the fight against water pollution. Water pollution is a global problem which needs a lot of resources in addressing it. The release of plastics, polyethylene bags, and papers into water sources is significant destruction, not only of animal habitats but as to the water sources themselves.
The release of sewage and other untreated materials to the water sources is an important problem that the world faces. In many countries, many people do not treat the water they use at their homes. The water they fetch from the rivers and the other water bodies is used raw, either untreated or even not boiled. When sewage is untreated, then the water used becomes an important problem for each and everyone who uses the water.
Effects of water pollution
There are various effects of water pollution in the world. Polluted water is a health hazard, killing human, aquatic and the terrestrial animals, as well as the plants. Water that is contaminated acts as a primary habitat for pathogens which are very harmful to the health of humans killing aquatic animals, by either emitting unwanted toxic materials in the water or their food, hence poisoning them. Oil spillages in the large water bodies, like the oceans, the lakes, and the seas acts as a blanket on the seawater, blocking oxygen from reaching the aquatic animals. Hence, they die.
Polluted water is also a major problem because it reduces the amount of water that humans can use. If the levels of contaminated water increase with time, then there shall be no more water left, enough to sustain the human population, which is a major challenge to the sustainability of human race.
Challenges facing water conservations
Many problems face the process of water conservation. In many countries, water conservation is confronted by weak and biased government laws, which only favor the wealthy in the society. The weak and vulnerable rules and regulations do not become strong enough to control the disposal of waste and polluting materials into the waters by the industries, held by the wealthy.
The unavailability of capital and sufficient resources to conserve water, by enhancing the green culture and reducing the amount of pollution is a significant challenge for the society. In many cases, the government does not seem to care about the needs of the people, due to the lack of money. Some people do not obey the laws, and they use bribes to manipulate the authorities to allow them to do what they want. Some companies do not consider the rules and regulations put in place by their governments because they have the money to buy the decision and favors from the top officials, which makes it tough for the companies to obey the rules.
References
Blanke, A., Rozelle, S., Lohmar, B., Wang, J., and Huang, J., (2007), Water saving technology and saving water in China, agricultural water management 87 (2007) 139–150 (http://www.ccap.org.cn/uploadfile/2010/0209/20100209024617242.pdf)
Chong, M.N., and Saint, C.P., (c. 2010), Water Conservation Science and Engineering, Sustainable Development Journal (http://www.springer.com/environment/sustainable+development/journal/41101)
Earth easy, (2014), 25 ways to conserve water in the home and yard, Solutions for Sustainable Living, Retrieved from http://eartheasy.com/live_water_saving.htm
Figueiredo, S., (2014), Dangerous Waters, Veolia Water Technologies, Retrieved from http://www.veoliawatertechnologies.co.uk/processwater/medias/press/2014-10- 09, 38558.htm
Finch, C., (2013), Technology in Water Conservation, Texas Water Resources Institute, Retrieved from http://twri.tamu.edu/publications/txh2o/summer-2013/technology-in- water-conservation/
Gies, E., (2011), New Technology Reduces Agricultural Water Consumption, Green Tech, Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericagies/2011/10/25/new-technology- reduces-agricultural-water-consumption/#78233bf16ea2
Johnson, J., (2013), Global Issues, Local Arguments, Pearson (https://www.pearson.ch/HigherEducation/Pearson/EAN/9780205886159/Global-Issues- Local-Arguments)
Sachs, G., (2013), Water: Emerging Risks & Opportunities (http://www.goldmansachs.com/our- thinking/our-conferences/water-conference/water-summit-white-paper.pdf)
Schaible, G.D., and Aillery, M.P., (2012), Water Conservation in Irrigated Agriculture: Trends and Challenges in the Face of Emerging Demands, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, September 2012 (http://www.ers.usda.gov/media/884158/eib99.pdf)
