The current world population is 7.2 billion and is projected to increase by one billion over the next 12 years, reaching 9.6 billion by 2050, according to the United Nations.
According to Lystek, as humankind continues to grow in population, it is critically important to stop and think about this year’s theme for World Water Day: “Leaving no one behind”. This is part of a core promise of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focusing on the idea that all benefit as a result of the progression of sustainable development.
The Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), Clean Water and Sanitation, identifies several targets. According to Lystek, Target 6.1 states that by 2030 we must “achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.”
Some examples of other measures set out include: improving water quality by reducing pollution and the proportion of untreated wastewater while substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally; substantially increasing water-use efficiencies across all sectors, ensuring sustainable withdrawals and a future supply of fresh water to address water scarcity; and by 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water and sanitation-related activities including harvesting and desalination of water, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies, and via other efficiencies.
In a press release, Lystek lists a few ideas on water preservation to help get you started: learn to repurpose water and use every drop; if you are using an irrigation system, be sure it makes use of controllers that adjust to real weather conditions and provides water only when needed; install smaller, energy efficient dishwashers and only run them when they are full; do not let faucets run while brushing your teeth, shaving, rinsing dishes, or washing up; you can save water here by replacing old showerheads with newer “water-wise” certified models; and install low-flow toilets at home and work, and be sure to fix leaks right away.
According to the release, Lystek are proud to be part of the movement toward a more sustainable world with proven, practical, and affordable solutions that enhance the recovery and recycling of valuable resources such as nutrients, carbon, and biogas in wastewater treatment plants while optimizing the quality of effluent water released back into our environment.
