Water: Battling wastage and learning proper usage

Water for all! Safe drinking water accessible to all has been the cry of people for many years. All of us are aware of the importance and need for water but not very many speak of water as a valuable resource and that emphasis on water management is as important as providing sources of drinking water.

Creating awareness especially from childhood is the responsibility of all concerned. Focusing the attention of the public on water management and conservation appears to be nobody’s business. How many of us remember to close a tap properly after use or for that matter close a tap when water is running while not in use, like when we are brushing our teeth.

Water management in one’s household and ways and means to control wastage have to be thought out carefully. When water is scarce village folk use the ‘koraha’ to wash plates and cups while Girl Guides and Scouts use three containers. Once the small particles of food are removed, the plates or utensils are put into the first container with water and rinsed out and then into the second container with soap water and finally into the third container with clean water. Later the utensils are dried and put away.

Provision of facilities, water management, health and nutrition and home gardening should be one package. It is only then that we can get the best results and move towards a healthy community. It is the awareness and the manner in which the community is educated that pays dividends.

Rainwater harvesting is now a household word. However, it is not something new to Sri Lanka. It's because of its importance that our ancient kings built many tanks like the Parakrama Samudraya and Tissaweva - all to store rainwater for irrigation and other purposes. Sri Lankans believe that providing water is a meritorious deed. This is why in the past the ‘pin thali’ with drinking water for travellers who had to go long distances on foot or in bullock carts was a common facility.

Water is a precious resource to be conserved for generations to come.

By Venetia Gamage, Former Chief Commissioner, Girl Guides.