Shortage of water

Letter April 29, 2015
I feel that instead of hoses, we should use buckets and showers for this purpose

ISLAMABAD: The world population has reached the seven billion mark. This huge number of people is a big drain on the natural resources of our planet. One particularly threatened resource is that of potable fresh water. Seventy per cent of the earth’s surface is covered with water but only two-and-a-half per cent of this water is fresh water. However, all of this two-and-half-per cent is not potable or fit for drinking purposes. Quite often fresh water resources such as ponds, rivers, streams, brooks and springs contain suspended organic and inorganic materials such as arsenic, mycotoxins and pathogens which make the water unfit for human consumption.

This water, if used for cooking or drinking, may cause waterborne diseases in humans. Only 61 per cent of the sub-Saharan Africa has access to potable water. Many parts of our country as well have poor supply of potable water. Israel, Spain, Saudi Arabia and many other countries now import water to sustain their populations — that is how bad the situation is. Some counties have installed reverse-osmosis plants to make ocean water drinkable. But this process is expensive and a cash-strapped country like Pakistan can hardly afford it.

Some parts of Pakistan are lucky, however, to have a large reservoir of underground water. This water, present in our aquifers, is a huge blessing of nature. This abundantly available resource has made us disregard its importance. In many parts of the world, prior permission from the government is required to drill for water suction. In many parts of Pakistan, however, anyone can drill in the aquifier to pump out underground water. Many people in Islamabad waste so much water while washing their cars, houses and streets and while watering their plants and gardens that it seems as if there is simply no shortage of water in the world. I feel that instead of hoses, we should use buckets and showers for this purpose. Living in Islamabad for 10 years, I have noticed a rapid decline in the water table level. One wonders if the water management authorities of Pakistan — if they exist — are worried about this situation, and whether they are doing anything to fix the situation.

Muhammad Ashtar Chattha

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2015.

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