The theme for this year's World Water Day is "Peace and Water." Preserving water resources is crucial to prevent significant consequences in the future. The sustainable utilization and equitable distribution of water resources are fundamental pillars of global peace and prosperity. Effective management of water resources is a vital step not only for the well-being and peace of today but also for future generations. In achieving this, consumers bear the responsibility of researching, seeking accurate information, and cultivating appropriate usage habits accordingly.

Yaşabey Kalebaşı
Association of Packaged Water
Producers in Turkey (SUDER)
Chairman of the Board

The theme of this year's World Water Day, declared by the United Nations (UN) in 1993 to raise awareness about clean water issues and the preservation of water resources, celebrated annually on March 22, is "Peace and Water". The theme highlights that issues such as water scarcity, pollution, and unequal access can escalate tensions between societies and countries.

3 BILLION PEOPLE RELY ON WATER BEYOND THEIR BORDERS

The importance of water management for the world's future becomes evident with over 3 billion people globally dependent on water resources crossing national borders, and only 24 countries possessing cooperation agreements for shared water resources. The impact of the climate crisis on water resources, accelerating desertification, and rising population growth are escalating the demand for water each day. In a landscape where water is scarce or contaminated and access issues are on the rise, tensions may inevitably arise.

The United Nations emphasizes that global water cooperation will accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, increase food security, sustain healthy livelihoods and ecosystems, build resilience to climate change, and serve international peace.

WE MUST CONSERVE WATER RESOURCES AND ENHANCE OUR AWARENESS OF WATER USAGE

Preserving water resources is crucial for humanity's well-being and the planet's sustainability. Currently, billions of people are experiencing water scarcity, and the global climate crisis also affects the decline of scarce water resources. This evolving picture could lead to a tenser world. As humans, we need water to live, and as humanity, we need peace to live. A joint effort to protect and share water fairly will enhance the awareness of living in peace. In Sustainable Development Goal 6 adopted in 2015, it was promised that everyone would have access to water safely by 2030. We have a short period of 6 years left to fulfill this promise. We need to protect water resources and increase awareness of water use to avoid paying large costs tomorrow.

There are priority steps to be taken to prevent water waste. Worldwide, 69 percent of water is used for agriculture, 19 percent for industry, and 12 percent for domestic purposes. Wild irrigation methods, which are also practiced in our country, cause excessive waste of water resources, deterioration of the structure and quality of the soil, and barrenness. For the future of water, it is of great importance to abandon unconscious and low-efficiency irrigation practices in agriculture and switch to modern irrigation methods. As for water consumption in industry, enterprises that consume more than a certain amount of water should be urgently stopped from draining the groundwater resources in the region where they are located, and these enterprises should be located in the regions where there are idle surface water resources. Pollution of groundwater by discharging industrial wastewater into the ground must be prevented, and it must be ensured that these waters are left to future generations in clean and healthy conditions.

PURIFIERS WASTE FIVE TIMES MORE WATER

Consumers must be aware of the limited resources in all types of water usage. Informing the consumer properly, particularly regarding drinking water consumption, holds paramount importance. Presenting purifiers as the ultimate healthy and safe solution, based on misleading and unscientific information, poses a significant risk. Currently, purifiers generate approximately 5 liters of waste water to purify just 1 liter. Depending on filter replacement cycles, this amount can escalate further. Raising awareness among consumers is essential to combat this water wastage.

WATER AWARENESS MUST BE INCLUDED IN CURRICULUMS

Awareness about the importance of conserving every drop of water is essential. By promoting awareness in usage habits, individuals can take proactive measures to prevent wastage. Even small individual actions can hold significant value in instilling this consciousness in future generations and establishing sustainable habits. It's crucial to enhance awareness-raising initiatives on water usage, starting from primary school, and meticulously integrate this topic into the curriculum.