The evolution theory states that life started with water. 71% of our own planet’s surface area is covered with water resources but the irony is, as an old saying goes, “Water water everywhere but not a single drop to drink.” Can you imagine a single day without water? It sounds scary and with good reason so. Imagine. You come home after a long busy day, tired and search for water. You can’t find it anywhere because water resources have been depleted. What next? Water and air are the two most important elements to survive and scarcity of anyone amongst them can make your life hell.
Water is used for irrigation of crops, the crops which you eat daily as food. We require water for our clothes, our house, our body. We need it for cleaning and washing. Imagine no water means germs and bacteria everywhere. Our body uses water inside all its cells, organs, and tissues to help regulate its temperature and maintain other bodily functions. Lack of it means your body will become sick and dehydrated. The ocean, ponds, lakes, and other water bodies are home to more life than on land. Water is also responsible for maintaining the earth’s temperature.
What if water gets finished one day? It will raise sanitation issues and our body will become home for deadly infections. Farm animals will die and it will cause massive hunger. Water shortage will also cause energy shortage which means no electricity and no work. Lack of water will result in depletion of worker productivity by causing illness.
Students from Northeastern University, travelled to Bbanda, Uganda, to gather data for designing a clean water distribution system. Bbanda’s scarce bacteria infested water supply affects the health and quality of life of the people there, many of who also suffer from Malaria. Back at Northeastern, students explored design options that include harvesting rainwater, drilling wells, and installing community taps stands throughout the village.
In many nations, we tend to take water for granted because it flows easily out of our taps but regular depletion of water could potentially have dangerous consequences.
Vibhor Bhatnagar
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