by: Charlene Rennick
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Clean water is a resource that is quickly becoming scarce. Water is a necessity for all forms of organic, animal and human life. Historically, the bounty of water we have been blessed with has been taken for granted, used as a dumping ground for any type of garbage we don’t want to see, and filled in with soil to increase the available building surface of the Earth.
According to The Council of Canadians, currently in Canada, there are over 80 First Nations communities that do not have fresh tap water that is safe to drink. All water must be boiled before consuming in order to kill the harmful bacteria. There are 21 other Canadian communities on the short list for water that is too polluted to drink.
In other parts of the world, 1.1 billion people do not have access to clean drinking water. Over 2.5 billion people lack basic hygienic services, water-related sanitation, and indoor plumbing.
The United States is pressuring Canada to export water in bulk. A Washington think tank, called the Global Water and Energy Strategy Team, announced that bulk water exports from Canada will take place, because of our economic need to trade with the U.S., within the next couple of years.
Several American oil extraction industries are steering the Canadian government toward building a freshwater pipeline between Manitoba and Texas, for the purpose of extracting oil from the ground. This commercial use of freshwater will drain our existing supply of drinking water.
Canada is currently short of water. Presently, we have a ban on waste water use that forbids our own residents to turn a sprinkler on at night to water our lawns and gardens.
How can we save water? Turn the tap off! Fill up the sink and rinse vegetables or dishes in it with the stopper intact. Do you leave the water running while your toothbrush is busy inside your mouth? Turn off the water when you are not using it to rinse your toothbrush. Less water can be used to flush the toilet by taking a clean, empty plastic container, (such as the two litre sort used for ice cream) and filling it with sand. Place this inside the toilet tank. It will displace two litres of water. Every time you flush the toilet, it will use two less litres of water.
Consider using less grass in your landscaping plans. Excavate with trees, shrubs and rocks that do not require any extra water to flourish. Shift your indoor gardening from soil-based plants to hydroponic systems. Considering a small patch outside for tomatoes and a few herbs? Bring it inside. You can enjoy the food all year long. Hydroponic systems use less water, require less care, reduce pests and bacteria and produce a healthier crop. Hydroponic crops produce a better yield and taste better.
Help save our diminishing water supply. For more information, contact www.blueplanetproject.net or www.canadians.org.