Every drop of water saved helps improve the sustainability of this precious resource
Water is critical for our well-being and survival. It keeps the cells in our bodies hydrated, regulates internal body temperature, flushes waste and toxins, and is essential for good hygiene and sanitation. We need water to grow the food we eat, to support a thriving economy, and to sustain healthy ecosystems.
While water is crucial for life, we face a global crisis because of water scarcity, poor water quality, and inadequate access to safe drinking water. This crisis is exacerbated by climate change, population growth, and pollution. Addressing these issues is critical for human health, environmental sustainability, and economic development.
The Human Cost of Water Insecurity
While 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water, only 3% of this is fresh water, and most of that is frozen in glaciers and is inaccessible. It is estimated that around 2.7 billion people live in regions that experience water stress for at least one month of the year, and that by 2025 two-thirds of the global population are likely to have water shortages. More than 1 billion people do not have safe drinking water, and 2.4 billion lack adequate sanitation. That contributes to the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery, which annually results in the deaths of two million people, mostly children.
Water scarcity affects livelihoods, public health, and social stability. Agriculture relies heavily on water for crop and animal production. Water scarcity can reduce crop yields and even result in crop failure and loss of livestock, disrupting food supply chains and driving up prices.
In countries where agriculture is a primary source of employment and a major contributor to the GDP, water shortages can lead to massive economic losses and food insecurity. Water-intensive industries like manufacturing, textiles, and energy production are also vulnerable to water shortages. Reduced water availability can cause operational disruptions, increased costs, and business closures. This can have a ripple effect on employment and the local economy.
Inadequate water supplies can result in poor hygiene, exacerbating health issues in vulnerable populations. In communities that lack access to running water, water scarcity can force children, particularly young girls, to spend hours walking to fetch water instead of going to school. As a result, these children are poorly educated and have limited work opportunities when they reach adulthood, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
Should this scarcity become dire, it can force entire communities to migrate in search of water, overcrowding urban areas and straining infrastructure. Water scarcity can even have national security implications. Disputes between different water users are not uncommon, and especially in regions where water is already a limited resource, this can escalate into violent clashes and conflicts.
A Desalination Plant Case Study
The Caribbean island of Sint Maarten is home to more than 43,000 people and draws hordes of visitors annually. Yet there is limited fresh water available on the island. In 2007, the island faced critical water shortages because the outdated seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plant couldn’t keep up with the growing demand. This threatened the well-being of local communities and the sustainability of the tourism industry, a major source of employment and revenue.
Seven Seas was awarded a contract to upgrade the plant to improve efficiency and capacity. As the demand for water continued to grow, the government on the Dutch side of the island commissioned Seven Seas to design, construct, and operate the Pointe Blanche SWRO desalination facility, financed by Seven Seas’ Water-as-a-Service® (WaaS®) solution. The Sint Maarten government took advantage of Seven Seas’ build-own-operate-transfer financing model to rehabilitate the Cay Bay plant and to construct facilities in Cupecoy and Pointe Blanche, allowing it to meet the growing demand for water without any capital up-front.
The Sint Maarten Water Authority provides local workers to operate the plant and Seven Seas is responsible for management and for providing technical expertise. Seven Seas’ state-of-the-art solution not only improved capacity but also significantly improved system efficiency, reducing energy costs by more than 30%. This has reduced greenhouse gas emissions and ensured that Sint Maarten receives a reliable 6,400,000 gallons of water per day at a lower cost. The result is a more sustainable and affordable water supply.
Solutions and Hope
The economic and social impacts of water scarcity highlight the urgent need for sustainable water management practices and investments in water infrastructure to ensure equitable access to clean water for all. These infrastructure projects come with high up-front and maintenance costs, though, which can strain public budgets and reduce resources available for other needs, like education and healthcare.
Water-as-a-Service® and build-own-operate-transfer models have expanded rapidly, providing more regions with the opportunity to upgrade their water infrastructure to sustainable standards, regardless of investment availability.
Seven Seas takes water conservation seriously: It is the core focus of our business. We treat 150,000,000 gallons of wastewater daily and 20.1 billion gallons of drinking water annually, and have developed innovative wastewater recycling technologies for reuse, contributing to the health of people and the environment.
We strive to make a positive impact on communities facing water scarcity by protecting source waters and ensuring access to safe drinking water. We achieve this by installing decentralized water infrastructure that is highly efficient, sustainable, and affordable. Contact Seven Seas to learn more about our recycling for reuse and other water conservation solutions, or to discuss our Water-as-a-Service® financing options.
Image Credit: thailandonly/123rf
Leslie May is the Senior Marketing Manager for both AUC Group and Seven Seas Water Group. She joined the company in 2017 after serving in various marketing roles in the oil and gas industry. Mrs. May is responsible for creating and implementing marketing strategies, developing sales copy, liaising with company stakeholders, planning events, and managing the website and social media activity. She ensures brand consistency and promotes the company and its services, targeting the correct and appropriate audiences. Mrs. May graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Studies.