Water is the lifeline for many - but it’s still in short supply in many developing countries

Written By | DARBY BONNER

Water is a precious resource that has the power to bring life to communities. Access to clean and safe water is essential for daily living, agriculture, and economic growth. However, according to the United Nations, almost half of the global population will face water stress/scarcity by 2030.

Travelling has been a passion from a young age, and I have been fortunate enough to travel to 5 out of 7 continents on our wonderful planet. However, many of these countries do not have access to clean and safe drinking water, and I have seen that this is most common in low-economic countries. These countries typically do not know how to access groundwater or water springs due to a lack of resources and education, or their traditional water sources (rivers and lakes) are often contaminated or insufficient to meet the needs of their population. By reusing and recycling water, as well as utilising desalination techniques, new sources of water can be tapped into. Not only does this increase the availability of drinking wate,r but it also reduces the dependence on limited natural resources.

Moreover, these innovative solutions help in addressing the problem of water scarcity. Many low-economic countries face severe water scarcity due to climate change, urbanisation, and population growth. Reusing and recycling water allow maximum utilisation of available resources, reducing wastage and ensuring that every drop counts! On the other hand, desalination techniques enable converting seawater into freshwater, which can be a game-changer for coastal communities that lack access to clean drinking water. As we know, Earth is 71% water, but only 2.5% is freshwater, and only 1.2% can be used for drinking water. By desalinating seawater and using it for domestic or industrial purposes, we can increase the availability of water resources. For example, countries that have thousands of islands like Indonesia, would greatly benefit from converting seawater into potable drinking water as they are surrounded by the ocean.

By adopting innovative solutions in reuse, recycling, and desalination, such countries can reduce their reliance on expensive imports of drinking water, costly infrastructure projects, and the dependency on bottled water, which contributes to plastic pollution; plastics break down into microplastics which contaminate waters, ending up in the food chain. Instead, communities can invest in locally-driven solutions that not only improve access to water but also empower communities and stimulate economic growth.

It’s time we realise the power of water and take the necessary measures to preserve it!