Water sustainability: Encouraging and enabling change with measurement

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Opinion | March 15, 2023


Krishna Prashanth

Global Product Line Manager,
Electromagnetic Flow Meters

On World Water Day held annually in March the UN works to highlight the importance of one of our most precious natural resources. This year the UN’s campaign calls on the world to accelerate change and for individuals, families, communities, and industries to adjust behaviours for the benefit of all. Water sustainability relies on the close management of our water supplies to ensure there is enough for everyone.

Our blue planet is so called because it is 70% covered in water, however just 3% of that water is fresh. Whilst for many around the world it is difficult to imagine a time when water may not be readily available as we turn on a tap, some 1.1 billion people around the world are without access to water.[1] Demand for water is accelerating. Since 1950 the volume of water use has grown at twice the rate of global population growth. How can the water industry encourage sustainable use of this precious resource?

Encouraging sustainable behaviours

The global water industry can take an active role in encouraging people to change the way they use, consume, and manage water. Some of these steps include:

  1. Raising Awareness: The water industry can raise awareness about the importance of water conservation and the impact of wasteful water practices through educational campaigns, public service announcements, and other forms of outreach.
  2. Promoting Water Conservation: Encourage people to conserve water by promoting technologies such as low-flow showerheads, efficient irrigation systems, and other water-saving devices, or charging higher rates for excessive water use.
  3. Investing in Infrastructure: The water industry can invest in infrastructure to ensure that water resources are managed efficiently and effectively. This could include building new reservoirs, pipelines, and treatment plants to ensure that water is available where it is needed.
  4. Supporting Research and Development: New technologies and approaches for water management have delivered significant efficiencies in the supply and distribution of water, from new digital water treatment analyzers to tools that help detect leaks in the distribution infrastructure.

By raising awareness, encouraging sustainable behaviours, investing in infrastructure, and supporting research and development, the industry can help ensure that our water resources are managed responsibly.

Enabling change with measurement

Measurement is a crucial step in improving the sustainability of the world's water supplies. By monitoring and analyzing water quality and water usage, we can identify areas of waste and opportunities for conservation, leading to more efficient and sustainable management of this valuable resource.

Measurement to improve water management can include:

  1. Identifying water loss: Measuring water flows can help identify areas of water loss due to leaks or inefficient systems reducing water waste and conserving resources.
  2. Promoting water conservation: By monitoring water usage and identifying areas of excess, we can encourage individuals, businesses, and governments to reduce their water consumption and adopt more sustainable practices.
  3. Enhancing water distribution: Smart cities are implementing measures that give municipalities insights into the availability, quality, and distribution of water resources. This information helps them to make informed decisions about water allocation and conservation.
  4. Supporting sustainable development: Measuring water can help ensure that new development projects, such as in the area of agriculture or urbanization, are designed with water conservation in mind. This can help prevent the depletion of water resources and promote long-term sustainability.
  5. Maintaining the water distribution network: Flowmeters can help monitor the system for leaks and other sources of loss in distribution networks. To minimize water losses due to inaccurate measurement, it is important to regularly calibrate and maintain water meters, flowmeters and other measuring devices. 

Improving sustainability

Measurement is an essential tool for improving the sustainability of the world's water supplies. By understanding how much water we use and where it goes, we can better manage and conserve this precious resource for future generations.

[1] https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/water-scarcity 

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