Shortage in water supply has been a recurring problem especially in this age, where the United Nations has declared a global water crisis, with water resources and systems viewed to not return to their normal state.

With groundwater providing 50% of global domestic water use and 40% of irrigation, the excessive use of these resources not only diminishes its quantity, but also induces irreversible damage to its quality and production.

Coupled with increased water demands brought by economic and environmental changes, the lack of supply compromises the lives of the people, especially to those residing on far distances.

In South Africa, it has been reported in cities of Bruma, Kensington, Bez Valley, Malvern, and neighbouring areas that backlogs in water infrastructure have caused people to live two to three months without provision of water supply.

Scientifically, prolonged and severe dehydration can cause kidney failure, increased risk of colon and bladder cancers, decrease in immune function, and decline in mental clarity.

These issues give way for citizens all across the globe  to experience health deterioration, impoverished lifestyle, and community stability; hence, it harms the overall quality of life of people.

In the Philippines, the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources has reported that 40 million Filipinos living in island and upland barangays remained unserved with equitable access of water.

Together with the ongoing nuisances of flood control projects and infrastructural difficulties, these people are living proof of why water conservation, from individual efforts and the collective efforts of government officials in implementing water projects, is essential to achieving water sustainability.

But even in the severity of water scarcity, it is important to note that this is not the end.

A reform of old habits is necessary not to undo, but to minimise the impact of the damage caused by previous destructive water programs.

“It is the start of a structured recovery plan: you stop the bleeding, protect essential services, restructure unsustainable claims, and invest in rebuilding,” said Kaveh Madani, Director of the UN University Institute for Water, Environment and Health.