PM Message on World Water Day
Every year on March 22nd, the United Nations’ (UN) World Water Day highlights critical water issues and acts as a reminder to us all that sustainable development is impossible without water security.
70% of the planet consists of salt water. However, water is in fact a finite resource. The same water continuously circulates around the planet in what is known as the water cycle.
What’s more, according to the Global Water Partnership, only a mere 3% of the world’s water is freshwater, 1,5% of which is accessible.
Water is fundamental to the life of the planet and all its inhabitants; without it, all that we sometimes take for granted will suffer. These include food production, the supply of ever-evolving energy needs and health care to name a few.
As such, the government of Trinidad and Tobago recognises water security as a leading priority. We are aware that several new challenges are facing us such as climate change and population growth.
The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources as well as the Water and Sewage Authority of Trinidad and Tobago have made significant advancements in ensuring that the population has more reliable access to clean portable water.
Since May 2010, seven hundred and eighty-nine (789) pipeline projects were carried out throughout Trinidad and Tobago resulting in 620.3km of water mains being installed.
Additionally, thirty-four (34) capital projects have been completed. These include the installation of four (4) Packaged Water Treatment Systems, upgrades to twelve (12) Water Treatment Plants, the drilling of eight (8) new wells, the refurbishment/upgrade of eight (8) boosters and the refurbishment of intakes and reservoirs.
As a result of all this hard work, more citizens have access to portable water on a 24/7 basis than ever before in the history of our nation. In 2010, 18% of Trinidad received 24/7 service. That figure now stands at 57%. Similarly, 69% of Tobago has access to 24/7 service today as compared to 23% in 2010.
Quote: “Managing the water resources of any country in theory generally involves protection of watersheds and other sources of water, where natural water discharge, especially storm water, is managed so as to minimize flooding, where there is development of a distribution system that minimizes and even eliminates loss and where wastewater is treated and recycled”. – Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar speaking at the 2011 EMA Green Business Forum
Activities: Water conservation is a lifestyle. Employ as many of the following tips as you can in order to ensure the future of water security:
Don’t leave the tap running while washing dishes. Fill your kitchen sink instead.
Use a broom instead of the hose to clean your driveway.
Don’t defrost foods with running water. Place frozen items in the refrigerator overnight or use the defrost setting on the microwave.
Shorten your showers to between 3 to 5 minutes.
Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.
Use less soap when washing and cleaning, since more soap requires more water to rinse.
Fix leaking faucets and plumbing. A small drip from a faucet can waste as much as 20 gallons of water a day.
When using your washing machine, wash only full loads.
Use laundry rinse water for wetting plants.
Use a bucket instead of a hose to wash your car.
Repair leaking toilets. Add some food colouring to the water in the tank; if colour appears in the bowl without flushing, you have a leak.
Water plants during early morning hours or at night when temperatures are cooler. This reduces evaporation.
Install float valves in your water tanks or ensure that existing valves are working properly. Float valves shut off the water supply to the tank when it is full, preventing wastage.