Water, nature's most abundant but finite resource, has become critically scarce for our survival. People in various places around the world travel far and wide in search of water without realizing it is a buried treasure.

HHRD’s Water for Life Program aims to provide clean water for daily consumption and irrigation purposes through the construction and rehabilitation of water supply schemes.

Did You Know? 80% of water projects done by HHRD uses ground water from 13 countries.

 

Groundwater is the water stored in crevices in the Earth’s natural formation. The water ducts hold 30 percent of the world’s fresh water that is readily available for usage.

Interesting Facts About Ground Water

• Groundwater provides almost half of all drinking water worldwide.
• Globally, about 40% of irrigated lands are equipped for irrigation with groundwater.
• Groundwater is the world’s most extracted raw material with withdrawal rates currently in the estimated range of 982 km3 /year.
• The volume of modern groundwater is equivalent to a body of water with a depth of about 3 m spread over the continents.

 

Ways to Preserve and Conserve Groundwater

On Gardens and Farms Set up a rain garden. Use native plants in your garden.  Choose grass varieties adapted for your region's climate. Use fewer chemicals around your home, and dispose of them properly Properly dispose of potentially toxic substances. Water the lawn and plants during the coolest parts of the day and only when they truly need it. Use water conservation practices around your home. Use a mulching lawn mower instead of removing clippings

At Home Shut off water when you brush your teeth or shave, and don't let it run while waiting. Check all the faucets, fixtures, toilets, and taps in your home for leaks or install water conserving models. Limit yourself to a five-minute shower Make sure to only run full loads in the dishwasher and washing machines. Recycle paper, plastic, cardboard, glass, aluminum, and other materials. Use all natural/nontoxic household cleaners whenever possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over-pumping can dry the wells, reduce water quality, and even cause land subsidence. When water is removed from the soil, the land itself can drop as the soil compacts and is unable to support the land above. Additionally, a lower water level means that wells need to be drilled deeper and may no longer be able to access as much water.

A groundwater reserve’s quality is affected by poor sanitation, infrastructure, and agricultural pollution, which leads to high levels of nitrate and microbial contamination.

HHRD has many initiatives to conserve groundwater by starting projects which access surface water, for example rainwater harvesting, ram pump, gravity flow schemes, etc. In addition, to conserve groundwater reserves, HHRD has tree planting initiatives. We host awareness sessions and take precautions to avoid contamination surrounding water projects.

March 22^nd marks World Water Day! Let's get involved in water education! Learn more about groundwater and share your knowledge with others. Support campaigns for tree plantations and plant a tree yourself!

Invest and support surface water projects with Helping Hand today! Visit www.hhrd.org/water

Citation Source:

www.usgs.gov

Unwater.org

 

Shabana Abeda is HHRD’s Water for Life Program Manager.