The Importance of Preserving Clean Water - Research Paper Example

? Keep Our Water Clean 16 10 Keep Our Water Clean: Introduction: We are “children of a culture born in a water-richenvironment” and take this most valuable asset for granted. Since it has always been available to us we have never learnt to value or “respect it” (William Ashworth, 1982). Water is the most vital among all natural resources and key factor for survival for every living being. Water constitutes around 70% of total earth’s surface. This fact, in itself, elaborates its importance, not only for humans, but every living creature ever born. Not only the life on our planet is mainly reliant on water’s availability but most of other commodities are also co-related with it. Our daily life’s every chore is dependent on water, such as cleaning, washing, sanitation, irrigation as well as supporting industries like fishing, transport etc. But most importantly, it is used for drinking as 60% of human body has water. Lack of water in human body can cause dehydration, irritability, weakness, and fatigue as well as reduces the biological processes of cells resulting in symptoms that are very much like a disease. While “chronic dehydration” can lead to death (Dr. F. Batmanghelidj, 2004). Although the majority surface area of earth is covered by water, yet the drinking water is only around 1 % (Siaobhan Darrows). The rest of it is either too salty to be used or is in the form of glacier. With the increasing population and alarming deficiency of drinking water, water contamination is becoming a great source of concern for every individual. According to the World Health Organization, 1.8 million people die every year from diarrheal diseases. Globally it is the leading cause of illness and death. 88% of diarrheal diseases are attributed to unsafe drinking water along with inadequate sanitation and hygiene (Nath KJ, SF Bloomfield, MV Jones, 2006).Water is being contaminated on every level i.e. from individual, community to industrial level. We are so careless in our attitude towards this precious asset, use it with no second thought and unconcerned about the consequences (Marq de Villiers, 2001).Water contamination is caused by mixing of impurities or wastes, may it be chemical or biological. Water contamination is defined as:- “Impairment of water quality to a degree which reduces the usability of the water for ordinary purposes, or which creates a hazard to public health through poisoning or spread of disease” (Ecology Dictionary). Causes of Water Contamination: Although water is being contaminated ever since human civilization has began to grow, but it has been a slow process. As we began to make progress in our attitudes and started to achieve more in less time, the situation began to deteriorate. We ourselves are the source of contaminating the water. Although, we are fully aware of water’s importance in our daily life yet we still disregard it by contributing intentionally or un-intentionally in polluting it. By doing so, we are only making our household water hazardous for even ourselves. Water pollution can be avoided only if its reasons are analyzed. Lead, nitrates, microorganisms, pesticides, chemicals, industrial wastes are the most common water contaminators (Mark D. Uehling, 1996). The common reasons of water contamination are air pollution that is caused by vehicles or any combustion process, wastes discharged by the chemical factories, fertilizers used for agriculture, human wastes, physical impurities like junk materials/ wastes, improper use of household items. The used water, especially household water that mixes with groundwater causes many problems relating to health, as this used water contains number of chemicals from different household products, such as cleaners, polishes, paints and cosmetics etc. This mixing of used / sewage water is caused due to non-functioning or malfunctioning of used water treatment plants. One of the reasons of water contamination is the use of insecticides in crops. These insecticides are absorbed by the earth, go down and become part of water. 95 percent of populations in agricultural areas, who obtain drinking water from ground, are very prone to this type of contamination. The other reason is improper disposal of factories’ waste. This waste is either thrown in water bodies or on grounds, whose effects are absorbed by the earth and ultimately add in water channels flowing underneath. The other reason of water contamination is dumping waste near water storage. All these agricultural and industrial wastes are the sources of nitrates in water. The microscopic organisms present in water change ammonia from these wastes into nitrate (Dr. James M. Symons). Water storages’ condition is another source of concern regarding contamination. Usually the water storages especially underground are ages old and their rust and corrosion get mixed with the useable water, making it contaminated. Metal pipes, faucets and other materials used in home plumbing is another source of contamination through which lead gets in the flow of water. Preventive Measures to Avoid Water Contamination: To keep the drinking water contamination free is the responsibility of everyone in the community as we all need it as a life saving commodity. The preventive measures are only the reverse of our actions. It is only a matter of making right choice. Some of the basic measures that can be adopted at individual as well as community level are: Never throw or gather any type of waste near the water storage. Instead of throwing trash away try to recycle and reuse it as much as you can. Household cleaners, used batteries and tires and other such products are the worst pollutants and are easily recyclable. And even if the garbage is useless, dispose it off in a proper place and manner. Unused chemical liquids should never be thrown in drainage or near any water storage place (Environmental planning for small communities). Keep a continuous check on any oil or fluid leakage in vehicles, as it is absorbed by earth and ultimately mixes in water underneath. In case, any un-authorized place is being used for waste disposal be immediately reported to authorities. Pet’s waste to be disposed off properly. If possible the use of fertilizers and the chemicals for lawns and crops be reduced. Ensure minimum use of insecticides or pesticides and instead of using agricultural chemicals, organic farming is the best option. Composting is another way towards save environment and save water as it involves recycling process of organic compounds. Compost is not only eco-friendly, it is also cheap. Using organic and non-toxic products is the best way to reduce the threat of contaminating water through household chores. Use only filtered / processed water for drinking purpose. The most common mean to get rid of contamination is boiling the water up to its boiling point and then use it but in case the water is contaminated with lead, it would not be removed even by boiling. The best way to avoid water contamination is to be proactive instead of reactive i.e. kill the reasons of pollution instead getting the water purified / processed after it has been contaminated. There are a number of ways and means to make the drinking water free of any contamination. “Solar Water Disinfection is an easiest way to do it”. In this method the water is put in some transparent container and placed in sunlight for 4-6 hours. It removes most of the impurities and infectious material (HP Garg; HP Parkash, 1997). A variety of commercial tablets are available in the markets which are used for water de-contamination. Using Iodine can also be effective in removing parasite Giardia from the water. Plantation of more trees can also serve the purpose as trees not only take the pollutants out of the earth but also keep the environment clean and healthy. Yet there is an important role that has to be played by media in educating the people preventive measures regarding water contamination. Notables and key personals be asked to run media awareness campaigns using print as well as electronic media. Moreover there is a requirement that committees be established to test the water samples of every area on regular basis. Our responsibility is not to ourselves only, we as humans have an obligation to cater to our fellow being’s need as well. If our area’s water supply has been tested and confirmed safe from contamination does not in any way mean that we ignore the above discussed measures. Leaching is a process through which contaminations move and mix to far off water supplies and reservoirs. Our one careless act of littering or throwing wastes improperly can bring other people’s health to harm, even to far off places. Conclusion: Keeping our water clean is not only our responsibility but an obligation to our future generation as well. A change of attitude and living styles can easily solve this problem. Our choice plays an important role. We willingly pay for clean drinking water knowing its importance, but we are unwilling to do even a slight effort to reduce the chances of contaminating water. There is a need to understand / educate the people, regarding importance of contamination free water and role that has to be played by every individual towards keeping it clean and hygienic. Taking the preventive measures to keep the water clean is a combined responsibility and needs contribution at all levels starting from individual, community to industrial level. The efforts include community education and involvement as well as enthusiasm towards the betterment of our society. These are all the basic baby steps that need to be taken, as we owe these efforts to our future generations to keep our water clean. Works Cited Ashworth, William. Nor any drop to Drink. Summit Books, 1982.Print. Batmanghelidj, F. Your Body's Many Cries for Water. S.l.: The Tagman Press, 2004. Print. De, Villiers M. Water: The Fate of Our Most Precious Resource. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin, 2001. Print. Darrow, Siaobhan. “Water, water everywhere—but will there be enough to drink?” CNN.com http://archives.cnn.com/2000/NATURE/01/03/millennium.water/ Ecology dictionary. Environmental Planning for Small Communities: A Guide for Local Decision-Makers. Cincinnati, Ohio: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Office of Science, Planning and Regulatory Evaluation, Center for Environmental Research Information, 1994. Print. Garg, H P, and J Prakash. Solar Energy: Fundamentals and Applications. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill, 1997. Print. Nath, KJ, SF Bloomfield, MV Jones. “Household Water Storage, Handling and Point-of- Use treatment”. IFH, 2006. Symons, James M. Plain Talk about Drinking Water. Uehling, Mark D. “How Safe Is Your Water”. Popular Science. ‘Oct, 1996. 3. Bottom of Form Top of Form Read More