Water Management and the global water crisis

What is the world water crisis? 

We often undermine the need for adequate water resources, denying women and children basic access to safe water and sanitation.  

According to a report by the World Economic Forum, the water crisis is the #5 global risk in terms of impact to society. Water scarcity limits access to drinking water and water for practicing the bare minimum hygiene at home, in schools and in health-care facilities.  

Scare water is not a pretty picture – stressed water systems, rivers, lakes and aquifers drying up or too polluted for use, disappearance of wetlands, threat of disease, climate change, droughts, floods and at the current consumption rate, the situation will only get worse.

By 2025, an estimated 1.8 billion people will live in areas plagued by water scarcity, with two-thirds of the world’s population living in water-stressed regions.  

What about the crisis in India? 

Supporting 16% of the world’s population at 1.4 billion, with only 4% of the world’s fresh water India is among the most water stressed countries in the world.  

Severe lack of regulations and neglect has led to a growing water scarcity issue which has also led to regional disputes over access to rivers and water systems.

India’s rivers are open use - from dumping waste – human and industrial, to bathing and washing clothes, contributing to series health concerns exacerbating by the dependence on an erratic monsoon for its water requirements.  

What is the immediate solution? 

A sustainable approach to water scarcity – circularity and water recycling.  

Circularity and water recycling are closely related concepts that can help to address water scarcity and promote sustainable water management practices. 

Circularity refers to a system where resources are used and reused in a closed loop, with waste being reduced, reused, or recycled. Water recycling, also known as water reuse, is a process where treated wastewater is used for non-potable purposes, such as irrigation, industrial processes, or toilet flushing. 

Water recycling is an essential component of a circular economy, where water resources are conserved, and waste is reduced. By reusing wastewater, we can reduce demand on freshwater resources and reduce the amount of wastewater that needs to be treated and discharged into the environment. 

There are several methods for water recycling, including: 

1. Greywater recycling: Reusing water from sources like sinks, showers, and washing machines for non-potable purposes. 
2. Blackwater recycling: Treating and reusing wastewater from toilets and kitchen sinks for non-potable purposes. 
3. Industrial water recycling: Treating and reusing wastewater generated by industrial processes. 
4. Direct potable reuse: Treating and purifying wastewater to meet drinking water standards and reusing it for drinking water. 

Water recycling can help to address water scarcity and promote sustainable water management practices, but it requires proper treatment and management to ensure that the recycled water is safe and meets the required standards for its intended use.

It also requires collaboration and cooperation among different stakeholders, including governments, businesses, and communities, to ensure that water recycling infrastructure is in place and effective. 

At ELGi, our approach to efficient water consumption comprises of incorporating technology and systems like sewage treatment plants (STP), rainwater harvesting, etc. to mitigate the environmental impact of our own business.