Learn to live with Water Scarcity

 Learn to live with water scarcity

Regions around the world are experiencing drought and water scarcity, even in places that once had abundant rainfall, and this situation will worsen as the planet warms.

In 2018, nearly all water taps ran dry in the South African port city of Cape Town. Then it became the second largest city in the world suffering from severe water shortage. This problem still occurs. This year, communities 750 kilometers east of 'Nelson Mandela Bay' will find their reservoirs dry by July.

The Cape Town administration has taken strict measures regarding water usage to avoid this 'Day Zero'. The city administration has increased water usage rates and fines and has worked with the agricultural sector to reduce water consumption and maintain soil moisture. Residents of the area will maintain a daily water consumption limit of only 50 liters or 13 gallons. Remember that one load of laundry can use up to 70 liters of water.

Ingrid Koetse, a biodiversity, nature and health expert, lives in Cape Town. They have faced such tough times. Speaking to Deutsche Welle, he said, "I remember how difficult it was to live with strict restrictions and limiting daily water consumption." An extensive campaign was launched. People were asked to reduce or stop water-intensive activities such as washing clothes or cars if possible, and to reduce bathing, even in the shower or bath. Use water to flush. Ingrid added, “Many homeowners, especially those who could afford it, would install rainwater storage tanks, but the reality is that the majority of people do not have that luxury. And they really struggled against the scarcity of water.

 

Animals also Suffer from Drought

It is natural to be at the mercy of nature to solve problems like water scarcity. The city has also looked for ways to increase water supply by working with public agencies, private and local companies and local communities to collect rainwater, says Ingrid Koetse. go "Natural or nature-based solutions have proven to be the best, most cost-effective and effective measures to remove invasive wild vegetation in urban areas and to clean and restore these areas," he said.

An association of 2500 local and regional governments working in this regard has been established. Species such as pine and eucalyptus absorb more water than native shrubs and thus limit the city's water supply.

Water recycling in Africa and Europe

Arid countries like Namibia have deep experience when it comes to finding alternative sources of water. The world's first recycling plant was installed in Windhoek, Namibia's capital, in 1968. His wonder was that after passing through 10 stages, the sewage water was transformed into clean water. This plant has several layers of disinfection and filtration. In this regard, the Gorangab Water Reclamation Plant was upgraded in 2002 and since then the plant continues to provide reliable water supply.

Water recycling and purification are already common practices in dry climates in regions such as the Middle East, Mediterranean and South Asia. But not so in Northern Europe, where countries haven't really had to worry about their water supplies until now. Projects that will produce potable water from non-conventional sources are being considered in Belgium and the Netherlands in Antwerp and The Hague. A plant in the port of Antwerp, due to start operating in 2024, will channel saltwater and wastewater to nearby industrial sites. By reducing fresh drinking water use by ports by about 95 percent, it is expected to alleviate multi-year drought-like conditions and pressure on the region's water supplies.