Since 71 per cent of the earth is covered in water, many people think water supply should not be a problem.
However, Vihiga Environment chief Officer Richard Boiyo says 94 per cent of the water is salty and only 3 per cent is fresh, with only 0.5 per cent available for consumption.
“The other 2.5 per cent of fresh water is locked in ice caps, glaciers, the atmosphere, soil or under the earth's surface, or is too polluted for consumption,” he said.
With such a small percentage of all the water on earth fit for consumption, we must preserve and conserve this precious resource wisely, the chief officer said.
Conserving water will minimise the effects of drought and water shortages in the county and the country at large.
“Conserving this water guards against the rising cost and political conflicts due to adequate supply, enough food supply and reduced health hazards,” Boiyo said.
“Water can be used for recreational purposes like swimming pools, spas and golf courses and can be used for beautifying the environment.”
Boiyo said firefighters, hospitals, gas stations, street cleaners, health clubs, gyms, and restaurants all require large amounts of water to provide services to the community.
Water conservation requires forethought and effort, but every little bit helps. Don't think that what you do does not matter.
We can all make changes in our lifestyles to reduce our water usage. The trick is to make water conservation a way of life, not just something we think about once in a while.
Boiyo said the ecosystem in which we live provides natural services for humans and all other species that are essential to our health, quality of life and survival.
“For instance, our forests remove carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the air we breathe and also cools our air temperatures,” he said.
They also reduce the formation of ground-level ozone, a pollutant that can cause heart and lung problems to worsen.
Forests also filter and make harmless stormwater pollutants, and recharge our aquifers with these filtered waters.
There is also an array of economic, social and other environmental benefits, Boiyo said.
Edited by T Jalio
