Jay water advisory

Water is a vital component of life. Although water is believed to be plentiful in nature, fresh water, on which humans rely, is not. Fresh water accounts for only 2.5% of the world’s water, with surface water accounting for 1.2% and groundwater accounting for 30.1%.

A water source is considered to be stressed when there is strain on it. Water scarcity comes before water stress. Water shortage arises when the demand for water exceeds the supply. Water scarcity is defined as a lack of water in adequate quantity and quality.

Surface water is the most widely used source of water in rural areas of developing or underdeveloped countries. During prolonged periods of little rainfall, fresh surface water, such as lakes and streams, tends to dry up. The lack of an alternate supply of water during such times strains the current water supplies. If this trend continues, the present water supply source will be depleted.

Groundwater is another source of water that is frequently overutilized in developing and underdeveloped countries. Overdependence on groundwater lowers the level of the water table, making it difficult to extract water in sufficient quantity and quality.

When compared to residential areas, industries and public facilities have a larger water consumption. This suggests that, in the same way that household water resources are handled, industrial water resources require the same understanding. Often, too much emphasis is placed on managing existing freshwater supplies in residential areas while disregarding sectors that demand the majority of the water.

Having a secondary water supply decreases the possibility of water shortage. The risk of a freshwater source drying out grows when it is overly reliant on. Secondary sources of water include:

• Rainwater harvesting
• Wastewater treatment and re-use

It is recommended that treated wastewater be used as an alternative supply of water in industries where water is a primary necessity. Wastewater from industry is required to be treated and reused using appropriate technologies. This is intended to lessen reliance on freshwater supplies.

Rainwater harvesting is easier to implement in residential settings than reusing treated effluent. Rainwater is a freshwater supply that is only available during the rainy season. Roof gutters can be used to capture rainwater during the rainy season for later consumption.

Conclusion

Water is a necessary component of life. Although water is believed to be plentiful in nature, fresh water, on which humans rely, is not.

Overdependence on any freshwater source causes stress on those resources and, eventually, water shortages.

Having more than one water source minimizes the likelihood of water shortage. It is our responsibility to safeguard current freshwater supplies, otherwise we risk running out of water in the near future.