Let us all do our share to conserve water

Water resource management, to which water conservation is a critical component, demands that we ensure the efficient use of this resource that is increasingly becoming scarce. Water resources have a direct relationship with economic activities and population growth.

The government has directed all government agencies to lead in water conservation measures to mitigate the possible detrimental effects of the looming water crisis. Members of the Cabinet have been urged to set the example in their respective offices in conserving this vital life-giving and life-sustaining resource.

For its part, the private sector is strongly urged to undertake a comprehensive and integrated plan to address the possible effects of the El Niño phenomenon, which could result in P20 billion loss to the economy in the next six months, and affect 543,844.8 hectares of rice lands, 273,411.6 hectares of cornfields, and pose a threat to around 16,992 hectares of fishery areas.

With the onset of the summer months and the impending El Niño phenomenon, we could really use some water conservation tips. On the part of government, there are initiatives to encourage the conservation of dam water, do cloud seeding in areas already affected by the dry spell and during the summer months.

One source has it that running a faucet for five minutes uses as much electricity (for water purification, delivery, and treatment) as burning a 60 watt light bulb for 14 hours. The same source estimates our average consumption per day for taking a bath can use 37 gallons of water; using a shower, 40 gallons; washing dishes by hand, 20 galllons; and toilet flushing, around 100 gallons. In the average home, toilet flushing accounts for about 800 gallons of water per week. These quantities are on top a few liters of water we consume daily for drinking and cooking.

Households, which consume the most quantity of water daily for their myriad activities, are enjoined to do their part to help ensure a steady supply of this vital resource, which would redound to a significant amount of savings and monetary terms