DENR 6 highlights significance of World Water Day 2017

On March 22, wherever you are and whatever you do, make it about water. - worldwaterday.org

In celebration of the annual World Water Day on March 22, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 is reminding everyone of the importance of wastewater and most especially not take for granted our water resources because water is life.

Cliché as it may sound, but did you know that today, there are over 663 million people living without safe water supply close to their homes, spending countless of hours queuing or trekking to distant sources, and coping with the health impact of using contaminated water?

This year, the celebration’s theme is “Water and Wastewater” where it focuses on the importance of reducing and reusing wastewater as a valuable resource in the economy. It also focuses on its safe management as an effective investment for the public.

Why Wastewater?

World Water Day 2017’s main goal is to support the Sustainable Development Goals 6.3, “By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.”

Wastewater is all the dirty water from municipal sources, schools, restaurants, commercial establishments, hospitals, farms, floodwater such as feces, urine and faecal sludge and all of the possible dirty water that you can think of. Other wastewater may contain dangerous dissolved toxins and chemicals. The three types of wastewater are Black water, Gray Water and Yellow Water.

Why should I CARE?

In industrialized countries, everybody has access to safe water. But did you know that in developing countries, like the Philippines, only 86% of the people do?

Every day, most of the wastewater comes from our homes, cities, industry and agriculture that flows back to the surroundings without proper treatment or being reused. Therefore, it pollutes the environment most especially bodies of water and loses essential nutrients. Yes, we contribute in this pollution, we are just not aware.

Thus, to support the said celebration of World Water Day 2017, DENR 6 has prepared a series of activities such as Forum on Wastewater and Septage Management on March 17 at Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISATU) among Engineering students, Orchestrated Clean-Up on March 18 and Tree Planting and River Clean-Up on March 22 in San Julian, Tapaz, Capiz to raise awareness among the youth and encourage local community involvement.

How can I HELP?

Make a change in your own little way by starting in your homes! Reuse gray water (wastewater originating from non-toilet and food fixtures such as bathroom sinks, laundry machines, spas, etc. not contaminated with human waste) by watering plants, flushing toilets, construction and concrete mixing purposes and many more.

This will not only help you save you from your water bill, you have also helped the water cycle work better for the environment. 

“World Water Day is a unique event for all of us to be reminded of the importance of water in our daily lives. Right now, we may have enough water resources but what about in the next few years if we don’t know proper management of wastewater? Hence, I encourage everyone to practice reducing and reusing wastewater. This is not only for our own benefit but also for the next generation and for every living thing,” said Regional Director Jim O Sampulna.  

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