According to the United Nations, currently, one in four people (of the two billion people worldwide) lack safe drinking water. To create awareness on the global water crisis, World Water Day is observed on March 22 every year. The resolution to observe World Water Day was first adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 22, 1992, and thereupon March 22 was declared as World Water Day. The first World Water Day Was observed on March 22, 1993. The objective behind celebrating the world water day is to support the achievement of sustainable development goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Water is a vital resource that helps sustain life on earth. However, a huge population around the world does not have access to water. According to the United Nations, nearly 1.4 million people die every year and 74 million will have their lives shortened by diseases owing to poor water, sanitation, and hygiene. The global water demand (in water withdrawals) is expected to increase by 55% by 2050, as per the estimates by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
World Water Day 2023: Theme
The World Water Day 2023 theme is ‘accelerating the change to solve the water and sanitation crisis’. It emphasises on the need for stern action to address the global water crisis. The UN said, “Billions of people and countless schools, businesses, healthcare centres, farms and factories don’t have the safe water and toilets they need. There is an urgent need to accelerate change – to go beyond business as usual”. The UN 2023 Water Conference, a first of its kind event in the recent 50 years, is from March 22-24, 2023 in New York.
How to save water at home?
Large-scale misuse of water resources and lack of proper water management system have resulted in water crisis. We consume water at home for several purposes such as drinking, bathing, washing clothes or car, etc. Water conservation is all about the efficient utilisation of water.
Here are some easy ways by which you can preserve water at home and minimise its wastage:
- Take shorter showers and turn off taps when not in use while brushing teeth, washing hands, etc.
- Use a bucket and mug for bathing, cleaning car, etc.
- Fix pipe leaks in bathrooms and toilets to prevent wastage of water.
- Wash all the laundry at once instead of washing a small amount every day in the washing machine.
- Install low-flush toilets to minimise water usage by up to 50%.
- Go for water-efficient appliances and bathroom fittings like showers and taps to conserve water.
- Reuse wastewater from RO water purifiers for washing cars or watering your plants.
- Ensure water meters are installed in the building and go for rainwater harvesting systems.
See also: Water conservation projects and methods adopted in India: Tips to conserve water at home
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