Water is a vital component in the lives of humans and other living organisms. A human being can go more than 3 weeks without food but cannot survive more than a week without water.
About 50-78 per cent of a human body consists of water. Water is also important for the growth of crops which humans eat and for the generation of electricity.
South Africa is listed as one of the 30 driest countries of the world. According to reports, about 15 million people of South Africa do not have access to clean running water. During the past weeks It was reported on the news about a school that closed down in Bushbuckridge as well as Brits, North west due to water scarcity.
The scarcity of water in the country can be attributed to the increasing demand as populations are increasing as well as globalisation and industrialisation. The changing climatic conditions also contribute greatly to this problem.
Water can be categorised into saltwater which is water from oceans and saltwater estuaries; and freshwater which is from rivers, lakes, groundwater aquifers, wetlands and springs.
We cannot drink saltwater due to the high concentration of salt content therefore only freshwater can be used by humans. About 71 per cent of the earth surface is covered by water. Of this percentage, only 3 per cent is freshwater, the remaining percentage is saltwater.
It is predicted that freshwater supply will dry out by 2025 and wars will break out all over the world over water. This goes without a doubt that there is a pressing need to preserve this ‘liquid gold’.
Last week, March 16-22, has been identified as the National Water Week in South Africa and March 22 marked World Water Day. During this time campaigns will be conducted all over the country to bring awareness about the importance of using water sparingly. The theme for this year is Water Has No Substitute.
Here are some of the ways that may be used to save water in our homes: use a cup to drink water or when brushing your teeth; water your plants when the sun is not out to avoid evaporation; avoid planting alien invasive plants as they use a lot of water; do not dump waste in rivers, lakes, wetlands; repair leakages. I
t is said that about 40 per cent of water in South Africa is lost to leakages; shower instead of bathing as the shower uses less water. Use low flow shower heads; use a bucket when washing your car; harvest rain water; reuse grey water from the bath sink etc.
To water your garden; plant drought resistant lawn and shrubs; use mulching around plants in the garden; use a broom to clean driveways not a hose pipe.
