Some aspects of and viewpoints on the conservation of water
Conservation of Water
Water has nowadays become a scarce material in day to day use. The same water has many other applications (use) which directly compete with its main use i.e. drinking. Moreover, India's population is also increasing steadily. Even though some people may say that its growth rate is somewhat stabilized, a fact remains that, still the absolute figure of population is very large and uncomfortable. Therefore it has become equally necessary to adopt and implement many ways for conservation of water.
Actually mere conservation of water is not enough. We must tackle this issue of water shortage in its entirety, covering all aspects of water management. From this viewpoint, we can consider following directions to proceed ahead.
Directly related to water ---
Basic need of water
Usage of water
Wastage of water
Availability of water
Demand for water
Supply of water
Recycling of water
Related to actions to be taken ---
By individuals
By small groups of persons at homes & places of work
By business organizations & NGOs
By statutory bodies like municipalities & state or central government & regulatory authorities
In this article, I am going to comment on and explain the possible ways of conserving water, at personal or household level only.
First of all, we should realize that preventing wastage is as good as generating the same thing as new. By preventing some wastage, we can save a lot of time, efforts & money that are required to generate equivalent quantity of same thing i.e. water or any other concerned material. I have identified many situations, which are more likely to cause wastage of water and have already taken adequate actions, long ago, as explained below.
I don't throw away on a subsequent day, any drinking water in bottles or jars, which were filled in on a previous day and remained in those containers overnight. Unlike some other food substances, such water doesn't become stale. It is absolutely fit for drinking on subsequent days. I use it myself for drinking and explain this fact to others also, to the extent possible. Some persons agree with me and some don't. But I choose to explain. If it is not to be used for drinking, I prefer to use it elsewhere for non-drinking purpose, rather than throwing it straight away.
I generally prefer to keep the flow of water from taps to its minimum required. This allows me to avoid wastage of water that flows out of tap in excess of my need at that time. Whenever possible, I close the tap lever for a few moments, if water is not required for a few minutes and then reopen it to start the flow again. This also helps me save considerable amount of water, whether I am at home or at place of work or anywhere else.
Earlier, I used to have bath under shower. But since realizing the wastage that occurs during such bath, I have stopped this practice and now use a bucket of water in place of shower.
I take care that taps of water are not left in open condition, even if those taps run out of water. This is important because, we may not be present near those taps whenever the flow of water resumes and considerable quantity of water may go as waste.
The second thing is that, if possible and wherever possible, I take an opportunity to explain the importance of avoiding wastage of water at individual level, to other persons. They may agree with me or may not. But explaining or at least making a mention of its importance is within my reach and I do it. Publishing this article on my website is one of such opportunities to me !
Actually, while living in a flat in an apartment or a society located in urban places and that too with middle class living standards, there are some limitations on innovating more at individual or household level. In fact, many households receive water hardly for a few hours a day and that too at some odd, inconvenient time of day or night. They have to store that water in water tanks or drums and use it conservatively till the next day's supply resumes. It may be out of compulsion, but those people really conserve the water the most !
On the other side, more scope exists for conservation of water in affluent lifestyle. A lot of water is consumed in excess of real need, at nnumerous private swimming pools and by way of bath troughs in bathrooms of three star / five star hotels and homes of rich people. A very large amount of water is used for fun or enjoyment at water parks and water kingdoms. Such excessive & non-essential use of water is actually wastage, especially when people in other parts of the city have to face acute scarcity of water and have no alternative but to depend on drinking water supply through tanker service only. Closing (if possible, banning) all those private swimming pools, water parks / water kingdoms and discouraging the use of bath troughs is the need of time. I am doubtful as to how much proportion of persons living with affluent lifestyle respond to appeals made by municipalities and such other concerned organizations, for conservation of water. In spite of that and irrespective of persons holding positions of authority and other influential persons like it or not, bringing such realities and possible remedial measures to the notice of concerned people is one of the steps in conserving the water.