Managing the water resources on the earth is known as water management. Government authorities implement various regulations and systems for water management for different uses including sanitation and agriculture. Water is considered to be a renewable resource, but it has to be effectively managed. Below are some reasons that show the importance of water management.
- Limited Access To Water
To manage water effectively, we must know the amount of water available at a particular time. It is found that only 3% of the total water on the earth is drinkable and fresh. In it, only 1% is accessible to people. The rest of the water is in the form of ice caps and glaciers or far away for people to access. Therefore, we must understand that we have only a small percentage of water for our needs.
- Solves Complex Issues
There are a lot of efforts associated with water management. The responsible authorities must find out the availability of water, the ways to use it, and the methods to make water usable. They must also understand the demand, policies, and procedures. Water sources also cross various national borders, making things more complex. Effective water management can streamline all these complex procedures.
- Addresses Critical Challenges
Water management is complicated. Safe and clear water becomes uncertain due to several factors. Pollution, depletion of aquifers, and climatic changes threaten the total availability of water. Along with this, the rising demand for water makes water management a hugely complicated task. Some areas have extremely dangerous water conditions when compared to others, making the situation worse. So there will be more chaos if there is no proper water management.
- Connection With Food Production
Most of the freshwater in the world is used by agriculture. It is an essential thing for food production. When the number of people increases, the demand for water required for producing food also increases. A good part of this water is used by biofuel crops, which require good water management techniques. Both water management and agricultural food production are considered to be global issues by the World Bank. If the situation continues, water will be scarce in many places.
- Water Scarcity Affects The Population
Water scarcity already affects about 40% of the total population in the world. The coming years will show the impact of water scarcity in more areas and more people. Several experts consider water scarcity to be a serious global issue that will continue in the coming decades too. Water scarcity will cause a shortage of energy and food, along with disruptions in the economy. It will also lead to a refugee crisis and more conflicts.
- Poor Management Of Water Is Risky
Every year, a lot of people die due to cholera. Kids living in developing nations, under the age of 5, are more at risk. Contaminated water also causes infections, vomiting, dehydration, and diarrhea. Therefore, it is necessary to have strict policies to find impurity levels in a water management system. An effective water management system can protect the lives of people.