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ONE of
the consumers’ most vital basic needs is water. As some
would say, “Water is life.” Then again, to their own
detriment, consumers often take this necessity for
granted.
More
than two-thirds of the body is composed of water, and
most of its biological functions are dependent on it.
Among others, water plays a role in digesting and
excreting food and carrying oxygen throughout the body.
As such, humans can live for several days without food,
but only a couple of days without water.
Water
cleanses the body from toxins and waste and, having no
calories, is an important component in weight loss.
Aside from being consumed, it is used in cooking,
bathing, washing and cleaning. Even plants and animals
that people eat rely on water for survival.
With
such importance, access to water is a right that every
consumer must be entitled to so he can achieve positive
living. The numbers, however, say otherwise. A report by
the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) says
that more than one-third of the global population
suffers from water scarcity.
Water
issues continue to be a major factor in the poor quality
of life. Agriculture, for instance, is largely dependent
on water and the lack of it can eventually lead to
malnourishment. In areas where AIDS and HIV are rampant,
access to safe drinking water has become more crucial as
infected patients need higher doses of it to address low
immunity.
The
problem is not only the adequacy and accessibility of
water but the safety of it. According to the World
Health Organization, nearly 2 million people die yearly
from diarrheal diseases such as cholera, and the main
culprit is unsafe water supply. Other water-related
diseases include malaria, eye infections, skin lesions
and worm infestations.
In the
Philippines, the Department of Health reveals that as of
2002, 83 percent out of almost 15 million households
have access to safe water supply. The Cordillera
Administrative Region had the highest percentage of
access while Region 2 had the lowest.
Managing
slightly above 80 percent, Metro Manila obtains its
water services from Manila Water and Maynilad, two
private concessionaires which took over operations and
rehabilitation of water distribution networks from the
Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System. Manila
Water serves the East Zone, while Maynilad the West
Zone.
Some
parts of Metro Manila, though, still do not have house
connections. Based on a study by the Water and
Sanitation Program-East Asia and the Pacific in 2004,
these areas are served by small-scale water providers (SSWPs)
such as real-estate developers, homeowners associations,
private parties that construct and operate independent
water supply systems, and water truckers.
A chunk
of the market covered by these SSWPs is composed of poor
consumers who, unfortunately, spend a higher percentage
of their household income on water than those with house
connections.
Thus, it
is apparent that water issues remain to be addressed,
whether at home or abroad. And given the significance of
water to consumers, it is their right to call on
concerned authorities for urgent action and
responsibility to raise advocacy in order to ensure
sufficient, accessible, affordable and safe water for
all.
The IWMI
also says that water scarcity is existent not because
there is not enough for everyone, but because the
society is amiss on how to properly allocate water and
manage its use. As such, there is a need to learn how to
use water efficiently, and what better way to start than
with the consumers.
Simple
gestures such as repairing leaky faucets and pipes,
cleaning the car using a bucket than a hose, washing
clothes in full load, or rinsing dishes in a tub than
under running water are easy yet effective ways that can
be done within the home to help attain sustainable water
supply.
* * *
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