What does water mean to you?
This valuable resource can mean anything, for anyone. One can be reminded of the paradox of value made famous by the likes of Adam Smith, where a man with diamonds stranded in an arid desert could make more use of water than his hitherto precious gems.
Water, for some, is a resource left for granted and to some extent, wasted.
In a country like the Philippines where water can mean pristine coasts or the perennial deluge of storm season, water is calm as it is chaotic.
On the other hand, in territories where this resource is as scarce as hens’ teeth due to factors of climate, geography, or even socio economic instability, water can mean the difference of life or death.
So, we reel back to the question stated above, what does water mean to YOU?
That is the theme for this year’s World Water Day celebration. Regardless of context or cultural background, water is a basic necessity that symbolizes life. It replenishes thirst, nurtures crops, sanitizes, and prevents viruses from spreading—highly applicable in today’s global pandemic scene. Needless to say, water is essential for human survival.
However, 2.2 billion of the world’s population still lack access to potable water and safely managed sanitation services. According to the World Economic Forum, “poor and rural populations are at the greatest risk of being left behind” regarding freshwater coverage. This report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) only proves that water remains a luxury and privilege for the masses.
Which brings us to World Water Day. First celebrated in 1993, the United Nations (UN) declared that March 22 be the annual observance for what was then called the World Day for Water.
The World Water Day celebration aims to highlight water and sanitation’s key role in poverty reduction, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
For the last five years, World Water Day themes have focused on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Water and Sanitation for All by 2030. Past themes have included: Water and Climate Change (2020), Leaving No One Behind (2019), Nature for Water (2018), Why Waste Water? (2017), Better Water, Better Jobs (2016), Water and Sustainable Development (2015)
This year, the UN chose the theme “Valuing Water,” which remains consistent with the SDG 6. The UN aims to raise global awareness about the real value of water. In one of their statements, the UN said, “the value of water is about much more than its price – water has enormous and complex value for our households, food, culture, health, education, economics and the integrity of our natural environment.”
In a way, what the UN is trying to say is that water is at the heart of everything we do as humans. And that misuse of this finite resource can have an adverse and long-term effect on every aspect of our lives.
Local Efforts
From a broad perspective, it’s great that there is a global celebration and appreciation to further develop water coverage and sustainability in poor and rural areas. Equally important is to take a look at what efforts are being done on a national level.
This year, World Water Day Philippines will recognize government sectors and corporate bodies’ efforts to enhance and upkeep our clean water sources.
One of the key players, who have stepped up this year is San Miguel Corporation. As part of their corporate social responsibility efforts, they’ve committed to reducing their total water consumption by 50% come 2025. They call this initiative “50 x 2025,” which aims to eliminate water wastage in their operations, reuse and recycle more water, harvest rainwater, reduce ground and surface water usage, and protect vital water sources.
Although massive companies like SMC have made such efforts, the government and private sectors could do a lot more to achieve water and sanitation for every Filipino by 2030.
Despite the Philippines’ growing economy and increased urbanization, millions of our fellow Filipinos still lack access to safe water sources and improved sanitation. One contributing factor is the inability to provide ample water and sanitation services to new residents in rapidly growing communities.
According to the World Health Organization, in 2019, 1 in 10 Filipinos still lack access to convenient water sources. One out of 10 may sound like a low ratio, but we’re talking about a country with a population of more than 100 million people.
To drive this point home, here’s a statement from UNICEF in 2017 about the Philippines’ water situation:
“In the Philippines, 91% of the country’s estimated 100.7 million population have access to at least basic water services; but access is highly inequitable across the country, with regional basic water services access ranging from 62% to 100%. Around 99% of the one-fifth wealthiest households are more likely to have access to basic water services; while only 80% of the poorest quintile do.
“Around 6 million Filipinos also still practice open defecation, and some 20 million lack access to basic sanitation facilities. While over 75 million Filipinos have basic sanitation service at the national level, there are significant inequalities, particularly with regional coverage ranging only from 22% to 86%.”
The operative words here are clean, sanitized water. It’s not enough for people to have access to basic water services. What Filipinos need are sanitation facilities with which clean water will spring from. But why is this important?
“In 2016, one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the Philippines was acute watery diarrhea, claiming over 139,000 lives,” according to the World Health Organization. In fact, safe water may also be linked to the health and nutrition of children and their ability to stay focused in school.
With the current pandemic the country is facing, we need safe and clean water now more than ever. As Jeci A. Lapus, acting administrator of Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), puts it, “Water is life, water is now our weapon to preserve this life… whenever we open our faucets and turn on our showers. Every drop counts.”
In sustaining our lives, water is important. In the battle against an unseen enemy, clean water is essential. In our quest to survive and thrive in an ever changing world, water is vital.
Let us celebrate World Water Day 2021 valuing a resource more and more with every drop.