Sustainable Water Conservation

INTRODUCTION

Water is one of the cores essential and necessity in the word. It has been identified as one of

the most important natural resources and somewhat different from the rest, because it is

viewed as a key to prosperity and wealth (Arbuès et al., 2003). It has various benefits and uses

which include habitation for the life forms-living things on the biosphere, for the natural

processes, for the communities, for the society, for the economy of the country and for oncoming generations (Kurunthachalam ,2014). Water conservation includes all the policies,

strategies and activities to sustainably manage the natural resource of fresh water, to protect

the hydrosphere, and to meet the current and future human demand. Water conservation

remains an important strategy to ensure future water supply. Failure to conserve water leads to

scarcity of fresh water for human consumption and even lead to draught. According to Nova,

2023, water scarcity and drought pose significant challenges to sustainable development,

making effective water management crucial. Water security on the other hand is the most

substantial prerequisite in achieving sustainable development (Zucchinelli et al., 2021). It is

anticipated that climate change will decrease the reliability of water supplies, due to reductions

in rainfall, and the increasing variability of rainfall events (Intergovernmental Panel on

Climate Change, 2007). The conservation of water resources will therefore become

increasingly imperative. Consequently, its good for country to implement policies aimed at

water conservation (Dolnicar et.al 2022)

Factors influencing water conservation.

Water conservation play an integral role in environmental sustainability. Given the imperative

of water conservation for environmental sustainability, efficient water management, and

climate change mitigation, it is critical to understand what factors contribute to water

conservation behaviour (Dolnicar et.al 2022) There are many factors that influences water

conservation. Namely, environmental awareness, information, gender, having experienced

draught and perceived benefits. beliefs regarding human–environment interactions; attitudes

about water in general; attitudes about water conservation; information sources; knowledge

about water-related issues; social norms relating to water; habits; perception of water crisis

and knowledge about climate change, have all been identified as being associated with water

conservation. In addition, a number of socio-demographic variables also associated with water

conservation have been identified, namely: age; income; education; dwelling type; property

value; number of residents in the household; and not owning a garden.

Water conservation sustainable behaviors.

The key activities to water conservation leading to environmental sustainability includes,

reduction of water loss, use and waste of resources, avoiding water damage to water quality

and improving water management practices (Duane Et al,1984). This calls for concerted effort

for all the stake holders to conserve the environment. Conservation behavior can only be

increased if the key drivers of such behavior are understood because it dertermines sustainable

behavior. A sustainable way of life requires, in theory, a propensity for the future. Anticipating

the consequences of own behavior, and a long-term thinking are characteristic of individuals

concerned with the status of the environment. Realizing that current actions have consequences

not only on the individual, but on others as well, should be conducive to sustainable behaviors

(Pinheiro, 2002a). The motivation the person has influences tendency to conserve water.

THE AIMS OF WATER CONSERVATION

The aims of water conservation efforts include ensuring availability of water for future

generation, energy conservation of water pumping delivery and wastewater treatment facilities

which consume a lot of energy. In addition, habitat conservation by minimizing water usage

resulting to preserving freshwater habitat for local wildlife and migrating waterfowl (Hermosa

et al, 2016). As population growth continues around the world, there are many concerns about

water scarcity. This trend shows the current need for saving water resources to prevent

significant water shortages in the future. In many countries, the scarcity of water resources

places many constraints on the economic development of arid and semi-arid regions

Worldwide, most land is used for the production of food (about 40%). High pressure from

intense agricultural activities on land has made it one of the most important concerns of

policymakers, environmentalists, and the scientific community. Water conservation is critical

because of the environmental concerns. The concern is pollution making it inhabitable, climate

change and global warming affecting world climate at large, resource depletion and alteration

of environmental heritage. (Maria and Domiano ,2017)

STRATEGIES OF WATER CONSERVATION

The key strategy to water conservation is which entails rainwater harvesting from the roofs t

avoid runoff. Digging ponds, lakes, canals, expanding the water reservoir, and installing

rainwater catching ducts and filtration systems on homes are different methods of harvesting

rainwater (Kurunthachalam,2014). Another Strategy is Protecting of ground water form

contamination. Septic tanks, underground storage uncontrolled hazardous waste landfills and

chemical have all potential of contaminating underground water. Practicing sustainable

methods of usage of underground water. This can be achieved through sustainable pumping of

water from the underground to ensure the underground water levels are not depleted leading to

scarcity, saltation of water at the coast and in some cases reduction of water s to rivers lakes

and ocean. Water conservation strategy also requires continuous communication and education

to land managers policy makers, farmers and general on the need of continuous water

conservation for sustainable living. Communication of the science of how water systems work

is an important aspect when creating a management plan to conserve that system and is often

used for ensuring the right management plan to be put into action, (Delgado et al 2011)

METHODS OF WATER CONSERVATION

The goal of water conservation effort can be focused to reduce unnecessary water intake and

to alter the flow to the places where physical and chemical properties of the water are

encouraging to reuse. In addition, water conservation plans can be implemented by new

planning, management, technology, regulatory and enforcement in water supplying systems

and re-habilitate in water usage habit to individuals. The key point in water conservation plans

is monitoring the water sources and reservoirs of stream flows, surface water resources and

ground water levels. First, securing the drinking water from the water scarcity, over

consumption, degradation, natural damage (e.g. drought, flood damage, waste of rainwater),

prolonged unsustainable management and pollution sources should be delineated and avoided

(Kurunthachalam,2014)

Therefore, Government should implement stringent rules on peoples and industries along with

surface water storage, conservation of rain water, ground water conservation such as artificial

recharge and percolation tank method, catchment area protection (CAP), inter-basin transfer

of water, adoption of drip sprinkler irrigation, management of growing pattern of crops such

as selection of crop varieties, nutritional management, and role of antitranspirants, reducing

evapotranspiration, reducing evaporation from various water bodies, recycling of water and

conservation of water in domestic use, reduce the loss of water and reuse of wastewater and

artificial recharge to groundwater sustainable water. (Kurunthachalam,2014)

Benefits of water conservation to the Community

With proper water conservation, the community will have sustainable farming that provide

adequate food. in addition, the community will be free from deceases illness and sickness that

emanate from drinking contaminated water. With adequate clean water we shall have a healthy

community free from deceases and which contribute to sustainable economic development.

Benefits of water conservation to the Academy

Water conservation for sustainable development will provide insight and understanding on

methods of water conservation for a healthy working nation. The study will add into the

knowledge furtherance on sustainable water conservation.

Benefits for the Global Village:

Its estimated that the world population will be 9.4 billion by 2020(J.K. Berry et all,2003). Such

a huge growth will require adequate clean water. Therefore, the world should take cognizant

of the importance of sustainable water conservation to secure a future with clean and adequate

water

Overall Purpose.

Water conservation in key in sustainable environment management. The protection and

conservation of water catchment areas is key to a healthy nation. In addition, water

conservation will contribute to the economic development of the nation.

This study therefore contributes the study in studying the role of water conservation for

environmental sustainability.

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