Scarcity of clean water is a growing risk, and one that has been highlighted by leaders across the globe in recent years. Water security is being damaged by a multitude of causes, including global warming, environmental damage, and poor water infrastructure, which is being exacerbated through increased water demand and wastage. As a result, there are more and more locations around the world where access to clean water is becoming a concern. With so many different factors in play, everyone – including governments, NGOs, businesses, and individuals – have a role to play in addressing water security and sustainability.
Sustainable water management means the ability to meet the water needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same.
Water sustainability also means effective and holistic management of water resources. There are now multiple demands on water resources, which drive the need for sustainable, integrated, and holistic water management.
As we head towards a carbon-free future, meeting ambitious Environmental Social Governance (ESG) goals present opportunities for businesses and industry to adapt their processes as part of their managed journey to net zero.
Having a realistic water management strategy in place is an important first step for industries that are committed to improving their sustainability and curtailing environmental impact. And, of course, reducing water is not just better for the environment – it can help to drive down operating costs and save money too.
Innovation and technology will have a vital role to play in this strategy helping governments achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 – ensuring the “availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.”
Through water efficiency and water treatment, we can combat the fact that a “business-as-usual” approach will lead to a 40% gap between fresh water supply and demand by 2030.* *Source: World Bank (2018)
To combat the global water crisis, we must continue to act and treat water as a valuable resource – not as waste. It is up to us to use water more wisely. Through intelligent solutions, we can enhance the sustainability of businesses and reduce their impact on the environment. Water can be used more efficiently through reuse, wastewater can be treated before being discharged, and essential water can be saved for communities.
Around 80% of all wastewater is returned to the environment untreated. But with intelligent solutions that allow us to treat and reuse our water, this can be changed.* *Source: The United Nations World Water Development Report 2017
Together, industry and energy account for 20 per cent of water demand. More-developed countries have a much larger proportion of freshwater withdrawals for industry than less-developed countries, where agriculture dominates. Balancing the requirements of sustainability against the conventional view of industrial mass production creates several conundrums for industries. One of the biggest is globalisation and how to spread the benefits of industrialisation worldwide and without unsustainable impacts on water and other natural resources.
Different approaches to water treatment should be adopted based on the water resource distribution, water quality conditions, economic status, and developing levels of the communities and countries involved. The pace of innovation and optimisation of technology will accelerate the advancement in sustainable water technologies, including both conventional methods and emerging strategies.
Technology and innovation can be implemented effectively in the developing world with the help and collaboration of stakeholders such as local governments and industry. While efficient implementation and delivery will take time, it is the first of many crucial steps towards broad water sustainability and security.
