Water Insecurity and Conservation
Addressing the water crisis and ways to conserve water resources.
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The Water Crisis
Water is an essential need of life, yet 2.2 billion people lack access to safe and clean water. Many others risk water contamination and poor water quality, which affects many parts of society, including crop growth and the spread of diseases .
In the United States, around 2.2 million Americans do not have running water or basic plumbing because of failing water infrastructure and few sanitation facilities.
The water crisis, which is only being exacerbated by worsening conditions due to the climate crisis, rising temperatures, and drought, emphasizes the necessity in addressing global water insecurity and creating an effective system to support people around the world with poor water conditions or a lack of supply to any water at all.
Image of the Lake Poopó, located in Bolivia, on May 15, 2019 (left) and May 5, 2023 (right).
Located in Bolivia, Lake Poopó was one of the largest lakes in Bolivia, but it has almost completely dried up due to droughts caused by climate change, sediment buildup, and El Niño conditions. This negatively affects the people that rely on the lake to fulfill irrigation and water demands. The Urus-Muratos are an Indigenous community, and they depend on the lake to sustain themselves. They have been forced to relocate because of how much of the lake has dried up.
The Urus-Muratos are one example of the impact of climate change on the available water supply. They are part of the growing global water crisis because many communities around the world experience similar displacement and lack access to safe and clean water.
Effects of Water Insecurity
- Short term health effects: headaches, vomiting, diarrhea
- Long term health effects: kidney failure, cancer, diabetes
- Minority communities are disproportionately affected, as they are more likely to suffer from poor water and sanitation:
- Latino, Black, and Indigenous people
- People living low income or rural areas
- Immigrants
- Financial burdens
- Spread of diseases
- Disproportional effects on women and children, who have the responsibility for water collection
- Lack of access to education
- Cycle of poverty for women
Addressing Water Insecurity
Source: World Resources Institute
- Give everyone a voice when making water decisions.
- "Findings from a study of water committees in Vanuatu suggest that having women leaders in key water committee roles results in more regular meetings, better revenue collections, and improved water system performance."
- Protect surrounding ecosystems to promote healthy communities.
- "The natural systems that surround us depend on water, and provide clean water in return."
- Shift perspectives to improve water quality.
- Wastewater needs to be collected and treated to especially help lift people out of poverty.
- "One step to help solve this problem is to think of wastewater as a resource, rather than "waste.""
- Create alternatives that effectively use water.
- An example includes farmers using solar panels that discourages over-pumping groundwater and provides extra revenue.
Water California
This map showcases California Drinking Water Locations and California Water Supply Source Watersheds. The California Drinking Water Locations reveal their risk level of the amount of water stored in aquifers across the state. While there are areas of no risk or low risk, this should not diminish the areas with moderate and high aquifer risks because this signals a significant decrease in the amount of water available. This map showcases areas that require support in California to target water insecurity at a more local level.
Water Conservation
Water conservation refers to using water efficiently and avoiding the waste of water . It is important because water is not an infinite resource, and there needs to be enough water to sustain us today and in the future. With high demands, water needs to be conserved in order to ensure that all communities receive enough water to sustain themselves. Water has many purposes, including drinking, cooking, bathing, agriculture, etc.
Action Plan - 10 Ways to Conserve Water
- Fix leaks everywhere.
- Compost food waste instead of throwing it away or using the garbage disposal.
- Take shorter showers instead of baths.
- Turn off water while brushing teeth or shaving.
- Use a greywater recycling system.
- Ensure full loads using the dishwasher or laundry.
- Look for Energy Star models for new washing machines.
- Look for Water Sense labeled models of appliances.
- Install water-saving aerators on faucets.
- Teach children, spread awareness to the community, and encourage schools to promote water conservation.
Benefits of Conserving Water
- Save water, a precious and limited resource.
- Saves money on monthly water bills.
- Reduces energy use, saving on monthly energy bills.
- Recycles water for other uses.
- Reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
- Reduce water shortages.
- Start a chain reaction and encourage others to promote water conservation.
Ways to ensure the conservation of resources at home.
This infographic from the EPA describes how energy and water are connected and how both can be conserved using Water Sense labeled products.
Source: Trends in Water Use in the United States, 1950 to 2015. USGS.
This graph displays general trends in water withdrawals by various categories, including the public supply which is more applicable to local communities. Over these 65 years, the rate of water withdrawals initially increased but seems to be steadily decreasing over more recent years. This is important because it demonstrates a more sustainable trend because a decrease in water usage allows it to last longer and potentially be used by others instead. By encouraging local communities and various industries to promote water conservation, an overall decreasing trend of water usage in future years can be achieved.
A flower in a drought
Reflection
Before this experience, I knew little about energy in general, however, I learned so much about energy and water efficiency and conservation. I am now more conscious of my decisions and plan to implement my action plan at home. I understand the importance of energy and water conservation and want to mitigate my carbon and water footprints.