In response to Chennai Water Crisis:
Prevention of water crisis:
1. Recycling
2. Reusing
3. Educating
4. Laws and fines to prevent water wastage
5. Desilting of rivers and canals
6. Water harvesting
7. Creation of reservoirs
8. Linking the waterbodies
I remember many years ago in India, there was a shortage of onion in the market. TV and radio channels started airing programs with ideas for non-onion recipes. Here in Mauritius, we had water scarcity few years back. All the religious institutions offered special prayer, and at Grand Bassin, a special prayer to appease Lord Indra was organized. And guess what, it started raining and in a matter of few days our reservoirs were more than 50% full.
Media can play an important role during a crisis. In Mauritius during the period of extreme water rationing, the television channels featured women washing dishes with less water and ideas for managing household chores. Also, they prohibited cleaning cars or yard with running water. Over the radio we heard that we must run the washing machine on full load and hand wash for few clothes. My husband came up with the idea to flush toilet only when passing stool. Believe me, we managed happily during the time of water scarcity – partly because we had a water tank. The government also encourages us to harvest rainwater.
Therefore, we as individuals can be EDUCATED to:
Recycle • Reuse • Conserve water.
The media, the entertainment industry, can also take over some of the responsibilities to reach the message to every home that has a radio or television. NGOs and volunteers can reiterate the message through personal contact and explain in a language that will be easily understood. Whisper campaign by women, for women, can also be effective as most of the domestic water is used by the women.
My father used to clean the groundwater that we consumed by using ‘phitkari’ (alum) before buying a candle water filter. The only requirement was to leave it overnight, and then drain the upper part of the water for consumption and throw away the sediments. A cheap method for water purification but very effective. Educating the mass about this will surely help many.
Many countries have benefited from strict implementation of zero-waste water policy and low toleration for any law violation. We can learn from their examples. For this, the Water Authority should be held responsible and the officials should be trained in efficient water management and inspection. Water supply for free is a thing of past and all the governments (central or state) should take up their individual responsibilities, rising over their political gains. Apart from drinking water fountains, there should be no open water source anywhere. In Kolkata, I have seen people taking bath at the ‘stand posts’ on the roadside. The middle class and rich should be educated more intensively about water conservation and made to pay for their water consumption, even though they may privately draw groundwater, based on a meter reading. To change the mindset, media must work extensively taking help from public figures.
ONCE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE SACRIFICING THEIR COMFORT TO ENSURE A BETTER FUTURE FOR THEIR CHILDREN, THEY WILL SURELY EMBRACE THE CHANGE. TARGET THE CHILDREN AND EDUCATE THEM TO CARRY THE MESSAGES TO THEIR ELDERS.
The government and private organisations can actively engage themselves in:
• Desilting of rivers and canals
• Water harvesting
• Creation of reservoirs
• Linking the waterbodies
(The above ideas were compiled from the internet by my daughter and me.)
Prevention of water crisis:
1. Recycling
2. Reusing
3. Educating
4. Laws and fines to prevent water wastage
5. Desilting of rivers and canals
6. Water harvesting
7. Creation of reservoirs
8. Linking the waterbodies
I remember many years ago in India, there was a shortage of onion in the market. TV and radio channels started airing programs with ideas for non-onion recipes. Here in Mauritius, we had water scarcity few years back. All the religious institutions offered special prayer, and at Grand Bassin, a special prayer to appease Lord Indra was organized. And guess what, it started raining and in a matter of few days our reservoirs were more than 50% full.
Media can play an important role during a crisis. In Mauritius during the period of extreme water rationing, the television channels featured women washing dishes with less water and ideas for managing household chores. Also, they prohibited cleaning cars or yard with running water. Over the radio we heard that we must run the washing machine on full load and hand wash for few clothes. My husband came up with the idea to flush toilet only when passing stool. Believe me, we managed happily during the time of water scarcity – partly because we had a water tank. The government also encourages us to harvest rainwater.
Therefore, we as individuals can be EDUCATED to:
Recycle • Reuse • Conserve water.
The media, the entertainment industry, can also take over some of the responsibilities to reach the message to every home that has a radio or television. NGOs and volunteers can reiterate the message through personal contact and explain in a language that will be easily understood. Whisper campaign by women, for women, can also be effective as most of the domestic water is used by the women.
My father used to clean the groundwater that we consumed by using ‘phitkari’ (alum) before buying a candle water filter. The only requirement was to leave it overnight, and then drain the upper part of the water for consumption and throw away the sediments. A cheap method for water purification but very effective. Educating the mass about this will surely help many.
Many countries have benefited from strict implementation of zero-waste water policy and low toleration for any law violation. We can learn from their examples. For this, the Water Authority should be held responsible and the officials should be trained in efficient water management and inspection. Water supply for free is a thing of past and all the governments (central or state) should take up their individual responsibilities, rising over their political gains. Apart from drinking water fountains, there should be no open water source anywhere. In Kolkata, I have seen people taking bath at the ‘stand posts’ on the roadside. The middle class and rich should be educated more intensively about water conservation and made to pay for their water consumption, even though they may privately draw groundwater, based on a meter reading. To change the mindset, media must work extensively taking help from public figures.
ONCE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE SACRIFICING THEIR COMFORT TO ENSURE A BETTER FUTURE FOR THEIR CHILDREN, THEY WILL SURELY EMBRACE THE CHANGE. TARGET THE CHILDREN AND EDUCATE THEM TO CARRY THE MESSAGES TO THEIR ELDERS.
The government and private organisations can actively engage themselves in:
• Desilting of rivers and canals
• Water harvesting
• Creation of reservoirs
• Linking the waterbodies
(The above ideas were compiled from the internet by my daughter and me.)
