Here in Ohio, when you need clean water for drinking, cooking or maintaining your home, you simply turn on the tap. In many areas of the world, people are forced to access surface water, which is unclean and the source of a number of life-threatening illnesses. This lack of fresh water is a serious problem with potentially devastating consequences.
That’s why the United Nations established World Water Day in 1993. It is observed annually on March 22. The purpose of this day is to draw attention to water scarcity and to educate the public on the problem, as well as give guidance on what they can do to help.
What You Need to Know About the Water Crisis
780 million people worldwide don’t have access to clean water. Sub-Saharan Africa is most affected. It is estimated that more than a third of the African population doesn’t have access to fresh water. As the world population increases, so do agricultural demands; there is fear of a substantial water shortage just to address the increasing need for food. Today, agricultural watering accounts for 70 percent of fresh water usage.
Clean water is one of life’s essentials. Not only do many developing countries lack safe water supply, many don’t have sanitation measures in place. The end result is a proliferation of water-borne illnesses, which in many cases are deadly.
How You Can Help
If you reduce your water footprint, your contributions can help to slow the water crisis. It’s easily done and makes a big difference.
Avoid watering your lawn unless you really have to. When you do, make sure that your sprinkler is targeted on the grass only and not at the gutters or pavement. Gather water in a rain barrel for watering your garden.
Inside, choose to compost your waste instead of running your garbage disposal. Always shut off the tap when brushing your teeth. Choose a short shower over a long bath. If you are bathing children, don’t fill the tub very full. You don’t need a whole lot of water.
When cooking pasta, reserve liquid for other uses. You can always use it outside in the garden or for your house plants. It’s all about finding double-duty uses for your water so that you use less.
Don’t Ignore Leaks
Leaky plumbing is not only a headache for you, but it also causes you to waste a significant amount of water (and money too). When you notice a leaky faucet, attend to it right away. A small drip doesn’t look like a lot but think of all of those drops combined. Take time once in awhile to check the flapper on your toilet. The rubber in flappers breaks down over time and often is the cause of leaks with your toilet. It’s an easy and effective fix.
Preventative maintenance can go a long way to keep leaks at bay. Call us today for more information at (513) 445-5142, proudly serving Mason, OH and surrounding area.