Water Security: An individual responsibility.

Happy Global Water Day♻️🎉

Most people in the world view water as ‘their right’ and not ‘their responsibility’. People expect to get water directly from natural resources or public water systems distribution as they mindfully attach water consumption to ‘need’ only, not thinking of its management and long term security options.

Oppositely, let us ask ourselves today a few question below:

• Where does the water come from?
• Can we finish it?
• Am I properly managing it?

Just the few above questions from a sustainable thought process can open us up to a wider discussion and learning on how water availability can redefine our current societies and those in the future.

A respective summarized answer to those questions is: 

(1) water comes from natural resources and processes of the environment like the vast oceans and rain

(2) No, our planet as a whole can possibly never run out of water but Access and Availability of Clean and Safe water is very limited to the people on earth.

On to the last question

(3) our usage in quantity, frequency and application can determine the trajectory of clean water to either be available and scarce.

Facts & Figures

Data has brought us to the fact that 785 million people worldwide still lack safe water. Of these, 490 million live in sub-Saharan Africa mainly in rural areas. 

Almost 4 million people in Tanzania lack access to an improved source of safe water, and 29 million don’t have access to improved sanitation.

We can never overlook the timeless role of water in facilitating sanitation, domestic responsibilities, small to large scale agriculture and fostering production especially in a country like Tanzania where Water,Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH) sensitive indicators are high according to the UN.

Thinking sustainably, let us take a perceptive turn and visualize our social service systems 30 years to come referencing the current water situation.

The access to water and sanitation facilities is defined as more than just access to drinking safe water and acquiring it for domestic uses. The subject goes further to affect complex spheres of life like human rights and energy production.

The world is shaping a new way of life given its production and consumption altering rates of natural resources including water, something that is also causing a shift in the definition or rather meaning of ‘Access to Water’ especially in developing countries like Tanzania.

Currently water scarcity is a threat to the globe; climate change effects, pollution and over consumption of water pose challenges to water availability for us and future generations.

What is Water Sustainability?

The ability to meet the water needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same.

As individuals letting alone governments and other multilateral entities we have a daily role to play to achieve water sustainability. It is also our responsibility as it is our right.

How important and scarce safe water is will be a starting point for us to understand that efficient water use and management is key.

‘Our Role in Simple Terms’

• Control water consumption amounts according to essential needs I.e. try as much as you can to avoid using water if it is not necessary.
• Teach your family members and those around you to practice water conservation and sustainability habits like closing taps when not in use
• Do not engage in water sources pollution like littering or turning them into dump sites
• Participate in proactive adaptation measures like beach clean ups and social campaigns for protection of water sources
• Raising awareness on the impacts of water scarcity and how it affects communities. I.e the differentiated impact it has on women and children who are forefront victims compared to men.
• Leveraging the media and innovation tools to tell our local community stories on water scarcity and security. These lived experiences will help connect people to solutions but also inspire others to make change.

Forging forward

Efforts should continue to navigate through innovation and partnerships on best water management, reuse and recycle practices. I personally encourage continued learning from other similar contexts so that solutions are replicated in as many areas as possible with similar water related challenges.

Collective efforts have always proven effective. In this context I think it is high time that water scarcity solutions are locally owned. Integration of efforts between respective authorities and the people has the power to birth responsibility and effective outcomes. Awareness can penetrate smoothly as control and management matters can be attended to.

‘Every drop counts’ So don’t forget to Manage, Reuse, Recycle water and Repeat!