A bout 70 per cent of the earth is covered by water. When seen from space, the planet is predominantly blue, indicating abundance of water. From seas to lakes, rivers and creeks, water can be found everywhere.

Often, we take water for granted and therefore waste, pollute and even ignore its destructive power. Valuing water means recognising its full range of direct and indirect benefits, as well as the risks associated with it. The benefits can range from cultural, spiritual, emotional, economic, environmental, political or social.

Value of water

To the individual, water is life; it nourishes, cleans and sustains. To the economy, water is the lifeblood. Many rely on it for manufacturing, energy production, and as a means of transport across the globe.

Water also connects people. It brings families and friends together in countless ways through sporting and recreational activities.

“The value of water is about much more than its price,” the United Nations (UN) submits.

The Director of global water programme, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), James Dalton, adds that, “the value of water is not just about market prices, it is a fundamental question of sustainability. We need to choose to value water not only for us today but also for those who don’t have a voice: plants, animals and future generations".
 
World Water Day

March 22 has been declared each year since 1992 as World Water Day. Celebrating the day supports the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Six, which is aimed at achieving water and sanitation for all by 2030.

The day is also used to raise awareness of the approximately 2.2 billion people across the globe who live without access to potable water.

The celebration focuses on the importance of freshwater and presses for the sustainable management of freshwater resources with this year’s celebration focused on groundwater.

Whether surface or underground, it is important to value and save water before it is too late. Valuing water means valuing the future.

Water is life.