WATER CONSERVATION:

Water is the basic necessity for the functioning of all life forms that exist on earth. It is safe
to say that water is the reason behind earth being the only planet to support life. This
universal solvent is one of the major resources we have on this planet. Life can't function
without water.
However, despite its vast abundance, water is very much limited. It is a non-renewable
resource. In addition, we need to realize the fact that although water is abundant, not all of
it is safe to consume. The lack of sufficient water or consumption of contaminated water can
cause serious health problems for humans. Therefore, the amount and quality of water we
consume are essential for our physical health and fitness.
In addition, on a large scale, industries consume a lot of water. They need water for almost
every step of their process. It essential for the production of the goods we use every day. In
other words, a world without water would make it impossible for the human race to last.
The same can be said for all the animals and plants. The whole earth will suffer without
water.
Water scarcity is one of the most serious issues in the Middle East and even in some parts of
India. There is a scarcity of drinking water. Water pollution has lowered the amount of
accessible drinking water on the earth’s surface, as well as damaging the quality of the
water. It affects not only human beings but also animals, birds, and plants.
Everyone has seen the scenario of water-deprived countries like Africa, where citizens are
leading miserable lives. It is time for everyone to wake up and realize the urgency of
conserving water for a better tomorrow.
The rainwater harvesting system is one of the best methods practised and followed to
support the conservation of water. Today, scarcity of good quality water has become a
significant cause of concern. However, rainwater, which is pure and of good quality, can be
used for irrigation, washing, cleaning, bathing, cooking and also for other livestock
requirements.
The process of rainwater harvesting involves the collection and storage of rainwater with the
help of artificially designed systems that run off naturally or man-made catchment areas like-
rooftop, compounds, rock surface, hill slopes, artificially repaired impervious or semi-
pervious land surface. The frequency, quantity and the quality of the rainfall play a very imp
role in rain water harvesting, also Availability of the technology, The capacity of the storage
tanks, Types of the roof, its slope and its materials play a great role to carry out rain water
harvesting
it provides water when a drought occurs, can help mitigate flooding of low-lying areas, and
reduces demand on wells, which may sustain groundwater levels. Rainwater harvesting
increases the availability of water during dry seasons by increasing the levels of dried
borewells and wells. It also helps in the availability of potable water, as rainwater is
substantially free of salinity and other salts. Applications of rainwater harvesting in urban
water system provides a substantial benefit for both water
supply and wastewater subsystems by reducing the need for clean water
In addition to the great advantages, the rainwater harvesting system has a few
disadvantages. In rain water harvesting regular maintenance is required. One of the
significant drawbacks of the rainwater harvesting system is storage limits. Limited and no
rainfall can limit the supply of rainwater.
Water reuse (also commonly known as water recycling or water reclamation) reclaims water
from a variety of sources then treats and reuses it for beneficial purposes such as agriculture
and irrigation, potable water supplies, groundwater replenishment, industrial processes, and
environmental restoration. Water reuse can provide alternatives to existing water supplies
and be used to enhance water security, sustainability, and resilience.
Water reuse can be defined as planned or unplanned. Unplanned water reuse refers to
situations in which a source of water is substantially composed of previously-used water. A
common example of unplanned water reuse occurs when communities draw their water
supplies from rivers, such as the Colorado River and the Mississippi River, that receive
treated wastewater discharges from communities upstream.
Sources of water for potential reuse can include municipal wastewater, industry process and
cooling water, stormwater, agriculture runoff and return flows, and produced water from
natural resource extraction activities. These sources of water are adequately treated to meet
“fit-for-purpose specifications” for a particular next use. "Fit-for-purpose specifications” are
the treatment requirements to bring water from a particular source to the quality needed,
to ensure public health, environmental protection, or specific user needs. For example,
reclaimed water for crop irrigation would need to be of sufficient quality to prevent harm to
plants and soils, maintain food safety, and protect the health of farm workers. In uses where
there is a greater human exposure water may require more treatment.
Uses for recycled water:
 Irrigation for agriculture
 Irrigation for landscaping such as parks, rights-of-ways, and golf courses
 Municipal water supply
 Process water for power plants, refineries, mills, and factories
 Indoor uses such as toilet flushing
 Dust control or surface cleaning of roads, construction sites, and other trafficked
areas
 Concrete mixing and other construction processes
 Supplying artificial lakes and inland or coastal aquifers
 Environmental restoration
OBJECTIVE
Water conservation is a critical issue in urban environments, and it is essential to
implement effective strategies to conserve water resources. The objectives of water
conservation strategies in urban environments are as follows:
Reduce water demand: The primary objective of water conservation strategies is to reduce
the demand for water in urban environments. By adopting water-saving practices and
technologies, the consumption of water can be significantly reduced, promoting the
sustainable use of water resources.
Promote efficient use of water: Water conservation strategies aim to promote the efficient
use of water in urban environments. By adopting efficient irrigation techniques, water-
efficient fixtures, and other water-saving technologies, the amount of water used can be
optimized, reducing wastage and promoting the sustainable use of water resources.
Promote public awareness: Water conservation strategies also aim to promote public
awareness about the importance of water conservation and the need to adopt water-saving
practices. By educating people about the impact of water wastage on the environment and
the economy, people can be motivated to adopt water-saving practices and technologies.
Ensure the sustainability of water resources: The ultimate objective of water conservation
strategies is to ensure the sustainability of water resources in urban environments. By
adopting effective water conservation strategies, the water demand can be reduced, the
efficiency of water use can be improved, and the availability of water can be increased,
promoting the sustainable use of water resources for future generations.

IMPORTANCE
Conservation is important because it protects natural resources, biodiversity, and the
environment. It also helps prevent human-caused natural disasters.
Why conservation is important
Humans use water for just about everything, from growing food to sanitation and recreation.
Water is an important and essential part of every ecosystem on the planet, and when it’s
damaged or reduced, there are serious repercussions and consequences for human and
animal life. Especially in times of drought, conservation helps make it so a given area has
enough water to go around. Water scarcity is an enormous problem in some parts of the
world.
Pollution
Every time we use water, it is exposed to pollutants and contaminants. That water either
returns to the environment where it can spread pollution and harm the ecosystem, or it is
processed at water treatment plants where it is made potable and the cycle starts over.
When ecosystems are damaged by pollution, both humans and wildlife are disrupted. We
don’t want to pollute our environment for ourselves and others, and water conservation is
effective in reducing pollution and conserving wildlife.
Energy
Water treatment plants use a lot of energy, and our reliance on fossil fuels and
nonrenewable resources means that we need to be mindful and careful about the water and
the energy we use. Energy production produces additional pollution as well. The more water
we use, the more energy we use, and the more pollution we create. It seems like we’re a
small part of the cycle, but the more we use, the more of a footprint we have in that cycle,
and that makes a big difference.
Sanitation
Water is a key component of sanitation and waste management in many countries. What if
you had to walk miles to retrieve clean water? Imagine shaving or brushing your teeth
without water, or having to share bath water with an entire household. It would be hard to
have clean dishes to eat off, or clean clothing to go about your day. These luxuries are not
solely attributed to the convenience of indoor plumbing and other technological advances—
Indoor plumbing wouldn’t even be the convenience it is if there weren’t enough clean water
for everyone to access.