The U.N. has set a standard of 5.3 to 13.5 gallons of water each day for an individual. Unfortunately, this isn’t true for many around the world as Water Crisis threatens to throw the world off balance. Something as basic as this can create rifts between communities and even governments around the world but is usually overlooked. From economic to environmental and even health, the shortage has severe consequences. Till now, simply environmental consequences have been in the picture. AMPAC USA, a leading manufacturer of advanced water systems explores other potential outcomes that can be caused because of the rising crisis.
Reverse Osmosis has a long way to go before it helps sort out the global issue of the water crisis. Millions of people go without access to a safe drinking source every day. Thousands die each day due to some form of shortage or quality problem. Even though continuous efforts are made each day to ensure that it doesn’t remain a problem, the truth is this crisis that we know about today is actually increasing. Despite the publicity of news and awareness campaigns the issue does not seem to be garnering enough response to get a suitable reaction from the world.
Part of it is also because the only consequence usually associated with this is a shortage. It now seems to be popular among the crowds that due to the advanced seawater desalination techniques, the crisis may not be a problem anymore. Usage of oceans and the sea to ensure everyone gets their fair amount of pure drinking water has distracted the attention from the root cause. But to completely eliminate a crisis it is important to understand and get rid of the root itself. This won’t happen unless more and more people know about how drastically the consequences will hit closer to home. Here are a few to name some:
- Restrictions:
Usage in itself will be restricted not only for industrial manufacturers, businesses and commercial shops but also for residential households too. Poor communities with unstructured developed houses will be the first ones to be refused the access to clean water. With restrictions in place, lifestyle will have to be turned down and even buying it could become somewhat of a luxury. Controlled use of water may lead to compromises in several other fields like manufacturing factories, city maintenance, bottling businesses. Water storing equipment may see a boom on the other hand and not for the right reasons. - No incentives:
Excessive restrictions could lead to another major problem. Afforestation initiatives will face a hit due to restrictions on gardening and green activities. this includes programs aimed at converting barren lands into forests or even for agricultural purposes. This controlled use will give no incentive to communities to focus on planting trees which would be good for the planet. Priorities would be limited to consumption and usage for necessary needs. - Environmental Problems:
Fire hazards would be riskier due to unavailability. Pollution levels in the rivers, lakes, and streams will lead to an imbalance in the ecosystem. The ongoing global warming will result in the melting of glaciers and ice caps causing the sea levels and temperatures to rise which will further extend the shortage. And as mentioned above with the lack of afforestation initiatives, the planet could further go into turmoil with parts of the land either drought-stricken or covered with floods. - Economy Crisis:
The price will increase significantly. Something as little yet important as clean drinking water could bring down the stock market and create a monopoly of industries selling the remaining water. It will become a luxury item that can give a boost to criminal activities. Farmers will be unable to grow important crops in drought-ridden areas. There would be no organic product for export and import between countries which means the economy could go way down and countries may even go to war. - Opposite Of Advancement:
Lack of access will lead to people dying of chronic, water-borne diseases and outreach of education to these areas would be severely hampered. With the government in turmoil, focussing on advanced research, working to build and development will take a rapid downfall as all the other responses would be directed towards making water available. The organized world could potentially be in danger.
These problems are the tip of the iceberg and not much can be said about how and when the water crisis will hit all of us. Good news is that every day, new solutions are being proposed to avoid the above-mentioned consequences. But no change happens overnight and every individual is responsible for carrying out their part in saving water. Initiatives taken right from home to communities are highly recommended. Everything from as small as closing the tap, showerheads, using a bucket instead of the bath and shower can help make a big difference.
Meanwhile, giving tax concessions as incentives to people investing in green projects would be a big start from the governments across the globes. Not to mention the projects released each day that supports conservation can go a long way to help us give the coming generations a better chance at survival in the future.
Author’s Bio:
AMPAC USA is a leading manufacturer of advanced reverse osmosis water treatment systems. For over 30 years the company has been providing its customers and clients around the world solutions to their water treatment problems. With years of an impressive track record, Ampac strives to develop solutions to make reverse osmosis systems, advanced for improved quality and cost efficiency.
