World Water Trends
The UN predicts that by the year 2050 one in four people will live in a country where fresh drinking water is in short supply. 1
To avert this catastrophe, individuals, businesses and governments must take charge of their use of this dwindling resource.
"While the world's population tripled in the 20th century, the use of renewable water resources has grown six-fold. Within the next fifty years, the world population will increase by another 40 to 50%. This population growth - coupled with industrialization and urbanization - will result in an increasing demand for water and will have serious consequences on the environment." World Water Vision Report 2
It's not news that water is already scarce in Bermuda and in many other parts of the world. And it will get worse without intervention. Individual water use is a drop in the bucket compared to the rivers of "virtual water" flowing around the globe. The price of producing anything includes the "cost" of a certain amount of water. Our clothing, our technology, our food - almost everything we use requires at least some water to produce it!
"There is a water crisis today. But the crisis is not about having too little water to satisfy our needs. It is a crisis of managing water so badly that billions of people - and the environment - suffer badly." World Water Vision Report 3
It is easiest to imagine the concept of "virtual water" developed by John Anthony Allan in terms of food production: it takes water to grow crops. For example: "it takes 1,000 cubic metres of water to grow a ton of grain." As Allan says, "more water 'flows' into the Middle East each year as 'virtual water' than flows down the Nile into Egypt for agriculture. Currently, the international wheat trade is highly subsidized by the United States and the European Union and is therefore a very effective way for countries which are arid and wealthy to surmount their water shortage problem." 4
So it makes economic sense to use the water we have for its most fundamental purpose, to quench thirst.
You can also have an impact on your consumption of "virtual water". Reduce what you buy. Reuse what you can and recycle by participating in local initiatives like Bermuda's first ever e-waste recycling day held this March at Tynes Bay! 5
With water in increasingly short supply, you have to make the best with what you have. Bermuda's own ClearWater Systems offers solutions to fit your lifestyle that are more convenient and cost effective than lugging and storing water bottles. ClearWater's water treatment experts can give you a free water quality evaluation and recommend a solution that best suits your needs.
ClearWater's point of use reverse osmosis systems fit conveniently under your sink - wasting little or no water while providing you with water that's as safe or safer than what you'll find in commercially produced bottled water. Their almost-magic "Water from Air" appliances extract the moisture from the air and remove 95% of its impurities - presto - clean drinking water. How's that for using what's freely available?
As for reusing and recycling, seriously, kick that bottle! Choose reusable bottles. You'll save literally hundreds of dollars by NOT buying bottled water on a regular basis and fresh, clean, clear water will always be right at your fingertips. Throwing out water bottles not only costs you money but taxes the environment.
ClearWater Systems has been Bermuda's source for water treatment information, equipment and service since 1997. We're working hard to keep our customers up to date, keep their water safe to drink and help them reduce costs, waste and their affect our fragile environment. We've recently introduced zero-waste under-counter filtration systems, solar-powered treatment and desalination equipment and "green" wastewater treatment systems for foodservice operations that don't require the use of harsh chemicals.
For more information about ClearWater Systems, or to book a free water quality evaluation by Bermuda's only Water Quality Association member company, please e-mail Ryon Outerbridge or Chris Merritt, give us a ring on 236-3388 or pop by 10 Harvey Road in Paget.
For the Bermuda Sun version of this article please visit www.bermudasun.bm
