What is World Water Day?
Every year on March 22nd, we celebrate World Water Day to commemorate and raise public consciousness about water-related issues. The United Nations first proposed the globally-focused holiday in 1992 at its conference in Rio de Janeiro. Though it was proposed in ’92, it didn’t implement until March 22nd, 1993.
We at the Science of Water invite you to take a moment to consider just how vital water is in your everyday life. Water refreshes us, protects us, and is instrumental in life on this big, beautiful planet! Our lives are built on the foundation of water. Despite this, almost 800 million people worldwide do not have access to clean drinking water. A few of those places include hundreds of thousands of people in Waslala, Nicaragua, Cape Town, South Africa, and Qatar.
What are the Goals of World Water Day?
World Water Day is observed in support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6: ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Their aim is to achieve this and the other goals by the year 2030. This goal is so crucial that the United Nations has designated 2018-2028 as the Water Action Decade to focus on the problem. World Water Day explicitly encourages people to raise awareness about the global water crisis and take action in their own communities.
As we observe World Water Day today, let’s all take some time to reflect on your accessibility to water and the importance of giving everyone in the world that same opportunity. Below we look at a few tips to help you save water and assist others worldwide to gain access to healthy drinking water.
Filter Your Water
One of the first practices we can avoid is “flushing,” which involves running cold tap water for several minutes before drinking it. Although common in other parts of the world, the flushing method is inefficient as it consumes a lot of water. Additionally, many people drink bottled water or use water delivery systems instead of tap water. For some, it’s because they don’t trust their water, and for others, it’s that they don’t like the taste or smell.
Using a filter is an ideal way to fix these problems without having to purchase bottled water. This also helps stop further pollution from overburdened water treatment plants unable to cope with the flood of polluted water. Few pollutants enter the public water system when water is filtered at home.
Consider installing a whole house water filter, such as some of the solutions available from Science of Water. We are proud installers of Puronics’ residential water treatment systems, which eliminate pollutants from your home’s water and support the climate. They attach to the main water line and provide filtered water to any tap in your home, allowing you to drink safe, great-tasting water from any faucet.
Use a High-Efficiency Washing Machine
Purchasing Energy Star-certified washing machines can conserve water because they use up to 40 percent less water than standard machines do. You can also swap your top-loading washer for a front-loading washer, which uses even less water.
Turn Off the Faucet
You’ve likely heard this advice since you were in elementary school, but it’s as useful now as it was then. When you’re not actively using your running water, be sure to turn the faucet off. This goes for activities like brushing your teeth, washing dishes, shaving, etc., which are times when we tend to leave water idly running. It may not seem like it, but these small changes add up over time. Simply turning off the tap when you aren’t using it saves thousands of gallons of water per year.
Water Your Plants Early in the Morning
Watering trees and gardens in the morning, when temperatures are colder, is advised by experts. This decreases water evaporation from the sun and keeps the plants cool longer. Adopting this approach works well in areas with a dry climate. You can also try using mulch in flower beds and potted plants to retain moisture for an extended period.
Call Your Politician
Policymakers must endorse clean water efforts through substantive legislation to make real progress in your community and the rest of the world. To help progress these efforts, you can contact your Congress member and express your desire for them to support legislation addressing the water crisis. You may also visit them or write them a letter if you have the time.
Use Reusable Water Bottles
Did you know that the amount of water used to make a plastic water bottle is at least twice as much as the water amount found in the bottle? Single-use plastic water bottles take more than 1,000 years to biodegrade, and in the United States, 80 percent of these bottles end up in a landfill. That means many of the plastic bottles we recycle aren’t reused. Single-use plastic water bottles are also a significant source of carbon emissions due to their production and distribution.
To do your part and support the environment, swap out your disposables for reusable water bottles. You can filter your water at home and use your favorite bottle or minimize contaminants on the go with a water bottle that has a built-in filter.
The Science of Water
You know how important water is; you use it and drink it every day. Whether you’re cleaning, cooking, or hydrating, you need water to keep you going. Keep that in mind as you consider World Water Day today and the people in the world who don’t have access to clean drinking water.
We hope you use some of these strategies to save water and help the United Nation’s Sustainable Development efforts. If you’re looking for help with water filtration, The Science of Water is here for you. We provide you with the clearest, contaminant-free, and best-tasting water you have ever experienced. But first, we need to perform a water test to learn what water issues we need to treat.
To request a free water test or learn more about our services, contact our team at (352) 745-7070 or (904) 580-0000.