If the world had 100 people, 25 would be forced to drink unsafe water from streams (or queue for hours and pay exorbitant prices for bottled water). 22 people would have to use their local surroundings as a toilet, and every person would have witnessed half of their wetlands disappear while industry used 80% of the water resources.
This is our reality, except the world has over 8 billion people. If the world did have 100 people, we would not accept the situation, so why do we accept it with 8 billion?
World Water Day takes place every year on March 22. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of freshwater resources and the need for humans to manage and conserve these resources sustainably. Each year, a specific theme is chosen to highlight a particular aspect of water management or conservation. This year, the theme is Groundwater: Making the Invisible, Visible.
Over the past 21 years, World Water Day has helped to raise awareness about the global water crisis and has encouraged governments, organisations, and individuals to take action to protect and conserve freshwater resources.
The world is dangerously off target to meeting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all. SDG 6 aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.
World Water Day supports SDG 6, and for that reason, it is more important than ever.
Here are just some of the changes we need to make:
World Water Day is one initiative highlighting the need for more significant efforts and resources to achieve SDG 6 by 2030. But it's not enough; we need more coordinated action and investment to ensure everyone can access safe and sustainable water and sanitation services.
Droughts in Australia; floods in Bangladesh. We often think of water issues only affecting faraway places, but there are also crucial water sustainability and use issues in the UK.
Some regions in the UK, particularly in the southeast, experience water scarcity due to low rainfall and high demand. If the situation is not addressed, it may lead to water restrictions and rationing, causing economic and social impacts.
Rural regions with intensive farming practices, including East Anglia (potatoes), the South West (dairy farming) and the North West (sheep farming), have high levels of water pollution from agricultural runoff, which can impact human health and the environment.
Many areas of the UK, including East Anglia, the South West, and Yorkshire, are prone to flooding, which can significantly impact people, property, and infrastructure. Managing flood risk requires careful water management and planning.
Much of the UK's water infrastructure is old and needs to be repaired or replaced. Ageing infrastructure can lead to leaks and other problems that waste water and decrease efficiency.
Sewage overflows are a significant problem in the UK, which has one of Europe's highest rates of sewage spills (mainly due to its ageing system). Spillages cause water pollution, public health risks, foul odours, and economic impacts as they compromise water quality in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach from government, business, and the general public, involving careful water management and planning, investment in infrastructure and technology, and changes in behaviour and practices.
Businesses and industries hold the key to long-term water sustainability. Not only do they have a moral obligation, but ensuring water sustainability is also an economic and ESG necessity.
Companies can take many actions to improve water quality and simultaneously reduce costs. By doing so, businesses can help improve water resources while lowering operational costs and enhancing corporate reputations.
Reducing and recycling water by using water-efficient technologies and practices can significantly impact local water resources. Businesses could use water-efficient equipment, adopt closed-loop water systems, and implement water conservation measures in their operations.
Companies can reduce their impact on local water sources by minimising or eliminating the discharge of pollutants into waterways. This can include improving wastewater treatment systems, reducing the use of hazardous chemicals, and adopting sustainable practices.
Investment in wastewater treatment systems, including building or upgrading water treatment facilities, using sewage technologies, and adopting industrial technologies, can have many positive impacts, in addition to investing in sustainable water supply systems.
If businesses work with local communities, governments, and other stakeholders, they can jointly develop sustainable water management solutions that benefit all parties. This could involve participating in local water management forums, engaging with local communities on water-related issues, and collaborating with other businesses to address shared water challenges.
When companies report on how they contribute to water sustainability, they build trust with local communities, investors, and other stakeholders, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable water management. Carrying out a trade effluent audit is a great place to discover how your company is doing.
While corporations and industry have the most significant impact on water—and therefore the greatest responsibility—we can all contribute positively. We can greatly improve water sustainability if we all do at least one of the following actions.
World Water Day is a wake-up call: no matter what country we live in, water issues negatively impact us. We are all part of the problem, meaning we can all be part of the solution. Governments, businesses, and individuals all have a role to play. After all, we can live without tomatoes (not that we want to), but we can't live without water.