All About the Water Crisis

We all know the importance of water, after all, it is one of the most important elements on Earth. In order to survive, all humans, animals and plants need water. Without it, we have no chance of survival. So you may be surprised to know that despite the rain these days, Sri Lanka, like many countries around the world has been faced with a water crisis. This is why you may have heard about the recent drought in the country where more than 117,000 people were affected. Drought is a long period of dry weather caused by less than a normal amount of rain in an area over a few years.

Here are a few things you need to know about water scarcity: ■ It affects every continent

The water crisis affects women more than it affects men. This is because almost always, women are responsible for collecting water.

and around 2.8 billion people around the world for at least one month out of every year. ■ More than 1.2 billion people lack access to clean drinking water. ■ Today, 844 million people – 1 in 9 – lack access to safe water, and 2.3 billion people – 1 in 3 – lack access to a toilet. ■ Every 2 minutes, a child dies from a water-related disease. ■ One million people die each year from water, sanitation and hygiene-related diseases.

Do these numbers seem frightening? It is because they show what a huge number of the world’s population is affected by water scarcity. The difficulty of finding sources of freshwater for use during a period of time may result in further reduction and deterioration of available water resources. Water shortages may be caused by climate change, such as altered weather patterns including droughts or floods, increased pollution, and increased human demand and overuse of water.

POINTS TO THINK ABOUT

■ How would life be different for you if you didn’t have safe water to drink in your home? ■ Make a list of all the ways you use water throughout the day. (i.e. brushing teeth, bathing, washing dishes, etc.) ■ How would you feel if you had to spend hours walking every day to get water for you to use at home? Imagine having to spend so much time getting water that you didn’t

have time to go to school. How would that make you feel?

■ What if you didn’t have enough clean water to wash your clothes or have a bath? Do you think you might get stinky? How would you feel about going out in dirty clothes?

EFFECTS OF THE WATER CRISIS

We know that water connects every aspect of life, and because of this, we are constantly reminded of how important it is. However, from droughts to difficulty in accessing clean water, we are faced with a large number of water-related problems. As the water crisis continues to get worse all over the world, we are affected in many ways.

LACK OF ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER

In many areas, people have to walk long distances for hours so they can collect enough water. And this water will usually last them a day, which means they have to walk for hours every day to get water! Most of the time, the water that they collect is not “clean”, and is contaminated with germs that can cause very serious illnesses or even death.

A WOMEN’S PROBLEM

The water crisis affects women more than it affects men. This is because almost always, women are responsible for collecting water. This takes time away from work, school and caring for family. The lack of water and sanitation leaves women in a cycle of poverty.

A HEALTH CRISIS

The water crisis is a health crisis. Nearly one million people die each year from water, sanitation and hygiene-related diseases which could be reduced with access to safe water. Every two minutes, a child dies from a water-related disease. Access to safe water and sanitation contributes to improved health and helps prevent the spread of infectious disease. It means reduced physical injury from constant lifting and carrying heavy loads of water.

A CHILDREN’S AND EDUCATION PROBLEM

Children are also often responsible for collecting water for their families. This takes time away from school and play. Access to safe water and sanitation changes this. Reductions in time spent collecting water have been found to increase school attendance, especially for girls. Access to safe water gives children time to play and an opportunity for a bright future.

POVERTY

When family members get sick from contaminated water or poor sanitation, this means money must be spent on doctors’ bills and more time will be spent away from any income-making activities. This causes poor families to become even poorer.

WATER MANAGEMENT

A shortage of available water happens even in areas where there is a lot of rainfall or freshwater. If the water is not properly stored, used and shared in the communities, there may not be enough water to meet the needs of households, farms, and industries in the area.

Good water management also reduces breeding sites for insects like mosquitoes that can transmit diseases and prevents the spread of water-borne infections.