Seinforma Canada

By Katya Barrantes/Seinforma Correspondent

San Jose, Costa Rica.- The planet is covered by a 70% of water and human beings are able to consume just a 1% in total, among fresh-water rivers, lakes and water-bearing strata. However, we have to take into account that, from this 1%, a big percentage of the sources of fresh water are being contaminated and, in addition, the forests are being cut down, action that increases in speed and amount the process of pollution .
Central America is a very rich area of water resources, nevertheless its abuse and contamination are leading us to the exhaustion of the water we can consume. According to what was stated by David Bethune in his article published in the Centre American Network of Waterfresh Resources Manage (CARA) web page, Around the 80-90% of the its population are being supplied with the underground water in order to have access to purified water, because the one placed in the surface has already been used up or contaminated.
   On the other hand, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) calculated in 2003 that, in underdeveloped countries, approximately the 80% of the diseases were associated to the use of contaminated water and to the bad sanitary conditions. Nearly a 50% of the inhabitants of these territories are supposed to be exposed to sources of impure water.
   Central America is amongst these underdeveloped countries, and its situation is already quite worrying.

Deficit of investment
   Central America has an area of 807,000 square kilometres and a population of 35 million of inhabitants. According to the information given by the Alliance for Water, from The Spanish Ecology and Development Foundation, the annual availability of water per capita exceeds the 3,000 cube meters, but only the 42% of the rural and the 87% of the urban population has access to drinkable water. Besides, two thirds of Central Americans live close to the Pacific Ocean Slope, where only the 30% of the water is drinkable. The other third one is placed in the Caribbean slope, which generates the 70% of the water that belongs to the isthmus. This unequal distribution constitutes a pressure factor over the fresh water resources of the region.
   Moreover, it is being said that, aiming to fulfil the goals of the millennium, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) estimated four years ago a necessary investment of U$S 1,482.7 millions, needed to be capable of satisfying the demand of drinkable water; and U$S 1,578 millions for plumbing and drainage in Central America, meaning, more or less, the 5,8% of the Central American Gross domestic product (GDP), only to cover half of the basic necessities of the inhabitants of the region. This information did not consider the necessities of investment in other areas, such as industry, agriculture, energy production and tourism.
   The most critical cases are placed in Honduras and Nicaragua, where an investment of U$S 95 per inhabitant is required; and followed by Guatemala (U$S 87,2) and Costa Rica (U$S 78,4). Speaking about total amounts, it is Guatemala the country which needs the biggest capital expenditure (U$S 1038 millions - 6,3% of Guatemala’s PIB).
   This numbers show that a huge amount of money is needed in order to satisfy the necessities of this resource, which is becoming increasingly appreciated and progressively more scarce in Centre America. The problem is that the economy of the countries of this region is highly limited, which makes a more complex situation turning it a vital priority for the development of their population: “without water, there is no life”, and a problem difficult to solve with endogenous methods.
   There are some external initiatives existent for the rational use of the vital liquid assets. However, the majority are of hard application or too expensive. To sum up, the population need to receive more education and to start facing the problem with solutions within reach, which only need to be visualized, internalized and, afterwards, put into practise. We must spread the slogan “own’ power” or “popular awareness”.

So what can we do?
·Demand of our governments policies for saving and recoverying water, and for its proper use; demand them to review the licenses granted to food industries, chemical and timber, in order to stop the chemical dumping on water sources, and watch the use of drinking water made by these companies.
·Turn off the faucet while brushing our teeth, or soaping our hands.
·Put rocks or other elements, such as a bottles full of water, in the tank of the toilet in order to save from 0.5 to 1.5 gallons for every time it is pulled.
·Install heads of watering cans (or showers) of low flow.
·Take showers or baths of no more than five minutes long. By reducing the time only one minute, we can save 2000 gallons a year.
·Use only dishwashers to its maximum capacity. Since 1990, almost all the washing machine manufacturers built machines of efficient use of water when used to it maximum capacity, consuming less than 10 gallons per wash.
·Consider replacing our washing machine for a more efficient one. Half of the water and electricity consumed in each wash can be saved.
·Do not use the water jet to wash vegetables, because it misuses too much liquid. A container can be used to wash all of them together. Subsequently, that same water may be used again to nourish the plants.
·Make a plan of the way in which clothes are going to be washed. Each load in the washing machine consumes 200 litres of water, so it is preferable to collect enough garment to fill it. With the necessary amount of detergent, there is less waste when rinsing out and the environment is less damaged. If the final water has not got soap, it can be used to water the plants or to wash the floor.
·When cooking, measure with precision the quantity of water to be boiled. If the container is filled up more than necessary, the cooker will be brimed over with liquid. This, added to the evaporation of water, will be the cause of more unreasonable waste of water. If the pot is covered, the liquid will faster. It is important to remember turning off the flame when finished boiling.
·Put in order the dishes and the pots before washing them. Do soak and soap in one go, with the faucet properly closed - do not forget to check it does not drip-. Next, rinse everything out at the same time. Kitchen tools can be cleaned up without using too much soap and washed with warm water, if possible, since it helps saving a bit more.
·Promote the importance, among the family, of washing their teeth using only one glass of water. 13 litres of this vital liquid will be saved every time it is done and the bill at the end of the month will be reduced. Remember closing the water spurt while soaping your hands.
·Washing by hand is one of the home-made activities in which water is highly wasted if it is not done carefully. That is why, when washing clothes, water shall not be left flowing while scrubed. Use a container to soap the clothes and then rinse them out with the fresh water that comes out from the spur. Proceed the same way to wash the dishes and the kitchen tools.
·Do not suffer if your car is dirty; it can be cleaned up, but cautiously. Use two containers; one to soap and the otherone to rinse. If a hose is used, do not forget puting a controlling gun, not to waste too much water. Take the opportunity to clean the front part of your house, and kill two birds with one stone.
·The rules to save water will not be productive if they are carried out for being obliged by the head of household. It is important that all the members of the family understand the reason for having to do it.
·There are several benefits; its disposal for a longer period of time, less bill to be payed in electricity receipts and popular consciousness.