Conserve water, save for dry spell- DENR

Iloilo City-We heard it many times, and we are hearing it more these days: conserve water, it is our precious resource, especially during the natural phenomenon called El Niño.

Summer here in the Philippines is especially hot with the still lingering El Niño, and the call to conserve water resonates with our consciousness clearly. This month of March is a good time to contemplate on this important resource we have as we are celebrating the World Water Day last March 22, 2024.

Water is a natural substance that comes in three forms: liquid, solid and gas. It is estimated that the Earth is covered with 70 percent water, but freshwater accounts to only 2.5 percent while saltwater is at 97.5 percent. We cannot underestimate the importance of water in our daily life. Indeed, “water is the driving force of all nature”, as world famous artist Leonardo da Vinci said.

Water helps regulate both the human body and planet Earth’s temperature. It protects our body organs and tissues, lubricates the joints and is essential in flushing out waste products from kidney and liver. It is the substance our body needs to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the cells.

We know that water is the universal solvent – it can dissolve many compounds and substances than any other liquid. Thus, many industries utilize water to create products such as food, paper, medicines, fertilizer, pesticides, and many more. It is also used as solvent in mining to process metals.

We have many good reasons to conserve water. In fact, conserving water include simple habits that we may keep doing without considering we are wasting a lot of water, such as: letting the faucet run while we brush or wash vegetables or meat; running the hose while washing the
car; not checking the toilet for leaks; or even taking a shower for longer period of time.

We sure can do the opposite of those things – don’t run the faucet when brushing, washing the meat and vegetables, and the car; check toilets for leaks; and take a bath instead of a shower. These ways can help us save a lot of our water resource.

This year’s theme for World Water Day 2024, “Water for Peace: Pagkakaisa tungo sa Seguridad Pantubig,” reminds us how the way we use water is critical to also attaining peace and security.

“Our water resources are vital to our existence. Water can be a source of peace or of conflict; of security or insecurity; of sustainability or imbalance. We would do well to conserve water and save for the dry spell. The maxim “water is life” is an infallible truth to keep in mind,
and we should do all we can to always work and contribute to the conservation of water,” said Livino B. Duran, regional executive director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 6.