Our Thirsty World
World Water Day 2010 & Beyond: We Can Solve the Global Water Crisis
Why World Water Day?
Billions of people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation: one out of every six people lack safe drinking water and two out of every five people lack adequate sanitation. World Water Day, on March 22, is recognized by the United Nations and global community to focus attention on the growing water crisis. This year, a coalition of nearly 30 diverse US-based groups from the water, sanitation, hygiene and health sectors has come together to raise awareness and call the US government and its citizens to action. By increasing US commitments, we could save hundreds of thousands of children’s lives, improve education and assure healthier futures for billions around the world. The crisis can be solved.
What are the solutions?
Solutions exist. Many are simple and affordable: hand-dug wells, harvested rainwater for drinking, protected springs, water filtering and purification, hygiene education and latrine construction. The most successful projects work in partnership with local communities, offering the skills and support needed to set up and manage practical, long-term solutions.
How does the global water and sanitation crisis affect people?
The impact is widespread – affecting every area of people’s lives, from health and education to economic status. Worldwide, about 30 percent of people live in water-stressed countries, most are in Africa and Asia. Lack of safe water, sanitation and hygiene puts everyone’s health and chances of survival at risk – particularly children, the most vulnerable. This factors into nearly all of the major causes of child death and leads to more than two dozen diseases. Moreover, half of the developing world’s hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from diseases caused by inadequate or unsafe water and sanitation. Diarrhea, directly caused by inadequate drinking water and sanitation, is the second leading cause of child death and the most common cause of illness in the world. It is also a major cause of
malnutrition. The vicious cycle of malnutrition and repeated diarrhea during childhood can impair physical growth and cognitive function throughout life.
Source: www.waterday.org
World Water Day this year highlights water quality and the effects of drinking unsafe water. We have so little available potable freshwater; we should all become more careful and aware of how easily we can pollute nature’s most essential resource. Grey water systems reduce pressure on our already over-burdened water treatment facilities in South Africa. By harvesting rainwater and storing it in rainwater tanks we can reduce runoff and erosion. Over-loaded storm water drains can cause much damage to watercourses and wetlands that aren’t used to receiving high volumes of water over a short space of time. Water Rhapsody’s WWF Award-winning water conservation systems include rainwater harvesting systems, rainwater tanks, grey water recycling systems and other water-saving devices. We supply and install our water systems to ensure that installation standards remain high (see benefits). As water and energy are related in so many ways, we have acquired Yes Solar Mpumalanga so that we can offer high quality solar energy solutions (why solar?). We market and supply Solsquare solar water heating systems that are SABS-approved and are recognised by Eskom (you can claim cash back from the Eskom solar geyser scheme). Our solar geysers are always installed by qualified solar installers. We are also JoJo Tanks dealers and supply and install the full range of JoJo water tanks and JoJo water tank stands (our water tank prices are hard to beat in Mpumalanga and Limpopo!).
Contact us for a free quote or more information; Water Rhapsody & Yes Solar Mpumalanga can help you make a difference in our water-stressed and energy-hungry country.
