Insecure about water supplies

This summer, we’re hearing so many warnings about water supply security – or rather, insecurity as per the Asian Development Bank when it wants to underscore just how important this issue is all about.

The most basic fact about freshwater across the world, according to the ADB, is that there is only 2.5 percent of the water available for human use, and that it is available from underground sources such as aquifers and flowing in rivers, streams, and lakes. 

On the other hand, available water fit for human consumption is at a smaller 1.3 percent share after removing water that humans cannot readily get, i.e., those in glaciers, ice, and up in the mountains.

This amount of water, compared to what was available 50 years ago, should really make humans feel insecure – which is why studies are saying that a crisis is imminent in about a decade from now, and that people should really think of doing something to stave off this pending problem.

I’m sure that everyone will agree with me that having a water crisis is more catastrophic than having brownouts, or oil shortages, or even a food crisis.

Water is essential to a human’s breathing system since our lungs must be moist to take in air.

When the body lacks water, dehydration can set in. As we are constantly made aware during the summer months, a heat stroke or starving the body of liquids can be deadly. Next to air, the human body needs water to survive.

Imagine a world that is on the verge of a water crisis: people will be fighting over drinking water to live, and that is tantamount and can easily be translated to erupting riots and deaths. Nothing could be worse than thirst among living things, especially humans!

High water demand

But you can say that 2025 is still a long way off. And even today,  there are no visible clues that a water shortage is imminent. In fact, you can argue that many places in the Philippines have just been deluged by flooding brought about by rains or water gushing from mountains.

So what’s the whole hullabaloo that deserves such stern warnings from international agencies and watchdogs as the United Nations, World Bank and the ADB?

Apparently, at the heart of all these is a multitude of threats that includes population growth, exacerbated by urbanization, increasing water pollution, the over-abstraction of groundwater, water-related disasters, and climate change.

When half a century ago we thought that water was an infinite resource, the world experts are telling us now that it is not. The ADB, for example, says that current planning and management of governments have proven insufficient to address the challenges of meeting society’s diverse needs for water.

And these demands have been varied. World food demand has caused diverting more water for agriculture. Growth of urban centers has also resulted in water being used to generate electricity. Industries are also demanding access to more water for their activities. And the changing weather conditions have led to droughts.

No simple solutions

Thus, when the solution to a water shortage two or three decades ago was for individuals and households to reduce, reuse and recycle water, this is no longer enough to stave off a crisis that could happen anytime in the immediate decades to come.

Foremost that needs to be done, according to the ADB, would be to draw up well designed policies and decide on smart investments sustained by effective water governance. Governments are asked to assert their leadership role for finding solutions that will address water security, including building stronger coalitions with the private sector and civil society.

Role of business

Business is being asked to play a bigger role, particularly in participating in public-private partnerships that can provide more innovative solutions that will tackle the challenges of a future water crisis.

Some of the more fundamental initiatives by business which could save as much as 40 percent of their water consumption (and these are big compared to home use) is reducing energy use to bring down the amount of water needed for cooling towers.

Other areas in commercial and industrial sites where water saving is possible include reduction of clean water for landscaping, and recycling of gray or used water instead for non-essential purposes. Especially for malls and similar commercial establishments where foot traffic is high, there is scope for reducing water use in public restrooms by shifting to water-saving taps, and efficient flushing mechanisms for toilets and urinals.

Just like with electricity consumption, water use or efficiency should also be a key indicator in designing equipment. This should become the basis for instituting reforms in water pricing as well as providing incentives to those that can bring down water consumption.

Sustainable water cops

All these initiatives will rely on people shifting their perspectives and views about water. Each and every one of us will need to become better water cops – not just to remember to turn off the tap to save on water, but also think of better systems and technologies that will allow humankind to enjoy water in a sustainable way.

Experts are telling us that it is not too late to avert a water crisis. The way to a future of secure water supply is not far-fetched. We just have to be mindful about it, and set our minds to ensuring that future generations will continue to have enough water for their basic needs.

More exciting collegiate season

Collegiate basketball fans trooped to the FilOil Flying V Arena at San Juan last Saturday in anticipation of exciting games after waiting for over four months since the end of 2012 season last December. The seventh edition of the FilOil Flying V pre-season competitions opened and the thrilling opening games gave indications that the coming collegiate basketball season will be more competitive and exciting.

The pre-season competition is a brainchild of Raffy Villavicencio, sportsman son of Chito Villavicencio, top honcho of the Villavicencio group of companies. Raffy believes that participating teams benefit as coaches are able to evaluate and assess performance of their respective new recruits and finalize their official line up for the regular “mother league” championships. 

Favored teams include UST Growling Tigers, 2012 National Collegiate champion, National U Bulldogs, last year’s pre-season champion, Ateneo Blue Eagles, and San Beda Red Lions. These teams, however, will find stiff competitions from the other 14 teams that include, for the first time, a representative from Cebu, the Southwestern U Cobras. 

Congratulations to FilOil Flying V Sports team headed by Raffy and ably assisted by Joey Guillermo and David Dualan.

Facebook and Twitter

We are actively using two social networking websites to reach out more often and even interact with and engage our readers, friends and colleagues in the various areas of interest that I tackle in my column. Please like us at www.facebook.com and follow us at www.twitter.com/ReyGamboa.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25^th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected]. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.