Everyone would unanimously agree today that the
need for saving water is no longer an option, it's our responsibility towards
the generations scheduled to arrive in our planet in the future. When we say
generations, it is not limited to a specific race, species or lifeform. The
earth belongs to all.
Life is a balance between what we can control
and what we cannot. There is however, another dimension to this old sayings…Life
is also a balance between what we should try to control and what we shouldn’t.
While any idea to conserve water, #CuttingPani, is potentially a noble
initiative, we should interrogate it with all seriousness to make sure that it
would not send wrong signal. Inadequate consumption of water will have negative
implications leaving the world with a generation of dehydrated people, quite
similar to the anorexic population of today.
Our bodies are made up of about 60% water, more
or less and constantly loses water through its excretory system. This needs to
be compensated and the commonly recommended quantity is eight 8-ounce glasses
per day amounting to about 2 liters. Not many of us reach this target on regular
basis and some health gurus are of the opinion that majority of the population
are on the brink of dehydration.
The other extreme of this spectrum is “water
intoxication”, which occurs due to excessive water intake resulting into
abnormal brain function and could be fatal in extreme cases. Although not as common,
when it takes place, the excess water dilutes blood sodium levels and causes
fluids to move inside cells, which then swell producing potentially
life-threatening effects.
I believe, the message transmitted upfront need
to focus on drinking more water while the appeal for “drinking water
conservation” remains subtle. Restaurants and businesses could start using
smaller glasses allowing people to ask for a second helping if they are very
thirsty. That way we do not propagate the message of “Drink less and Save
more”.
Few odd ideas for conservation of water usage
from various aspects of our daily chores could be as follows. All of these
without touching the drinking water segment and avoiding a wrong psychological
message:
There has been no significant development in the
way we wash our clothes ever since washing of clothes has been in practice.
Making washing machine more water efficient is
one way but there could also be machines that washes using microwave
technology. One need to take on the mighty soap lobby to succeed though.
We could also develop clothes that doesn't catch
dirt. We should be able to brush it clean like most animals does. After all our
apparels are supposed to be second skin.
Could we not develop utensils that repels grease
so that it needs little or no water to clean them?
Can we not make grease trap mandatory in our
houses and not limit those to restaurant kitchens.
Our bathtubs could come with dedicated meters
built into its body that would measure every time it was filled and charge us
at a higher rate.
Why can we not make the tap water potable and
ensure that the plumbing network is sanitized regularly so that we do not
hesitate before drinking.
We can also make technology less expensive so
that we could use pneumatic waste clearance technology in our WC so that the
demand of water is minimized.
We need to plant more trees as this is the only
way to produce more water.
Let’s have #cuttingpaani with a pinch of salt.
Hello,
I just signed the petition, “#CuttingPaani” initiated by #Livpure. I think this is important us and the coming generations. Will you sign it too?
Here’s the link: Just Do It
Thanks,
Suman
