Waste not want not

Water Shortage

‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ is an English idiom. It refers to the notion that ‘a complex idea can be conveyed with just a single still image or that an image of a subject conveys its meaning or essence more effectively than a description does.’ That is so true of the photograph seen here. There is a serious shortage of water in Rawalpindi – and  elsewhere in the country – everywhere you look, scenes like this are common wherever people do not have running water facilities at home, or they are not enough to meet the family’s needs. 

When the taps flow, there will be a long queue waiting to fill the receptacles and carry home the precious commodity. Placed in order of ‘first come, first served’ the pile of utensils does not look very regular and in order, so hopefully there will be no squabbles of who came first! There are many reported incidents of fights over water and sometimes these can be quite violent and lead to one or the other – or even a whole lot of antagonists – landing up in hospital!

Despite the fact that people have trouble getting water, a lot of wastage takes place while it is being used not only by those who have little access to it but also those who have plenty. Taps are left on while dishes are being washed; leaking taps and other utensils are not replaced or fixed; washing cars unnecessarily; using water thirsty grass for lawns; taking long showers; leaking toilets; poor irrigation practices and most of all, not utilising waste water for plants and lawns and other uses. This water can be treated and sanitized and can be used safely, leaving potable water for drinking and personal use. I read that Australia, which appears to have plenty of water, has a built in waste water system in every house – or at least those which have been constructed in the past few years and that is a good idea we can adopt.

An awareness campaign should be part of the public service messages our TV channels are supposed to broadcast but seldom do. It is only when we all make an effort that results will be seen or there will be ‘water wars’ in future!

— Photo by Khalid Raja