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Water scarcity is one of many challenges that the world is currently facing. It is the most abundant resource on the planet-forming 71% of the earth’s surface. But, freshwater is just 3 % of the available resource out of which merely 0.5 % is accessible to humans. In a country like India which has 18% of the world population, we have access to only 4 % of the water resource.
According to recent studies, around 1 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, and millions die each year as a result of drinking contaminated water which causes diseases. Imagine how much freshwater we waste everyday in just flushing down toilets; such a matter of privilege.
Water innovation in water conservation can be a lifesaver. Here are a few innovations that we all could use and integrate into our daily lives and benefit from:
Bamboo Tower
Warka water tower is the perfect solution for community-based water harvesting solutions, especially in rural India. It is decentralized and works in semi-arid to arid regions. This tower is made from bamboo bracings which provide structural strength, stability, and lightness. It creates 100 litres of water every day from rain, moisture, fog, or dew through condensation.
credits: wired
Soil Moisture Monitoring Sensors
Indian agriculture is highly water–inefficient as it works on consuming nearly 80% of the freshwater. Groundwater extraction in India is amongst the highest in the world. Precision agriculture helps in water conservation through the use of IoT, AI, and Data Analysis. The technology is used variedly for monitoring soil moisture, water flow meters, drip irrigation systems, water pumps, and weather prediction. All these tools in combination can help conserve water by more than 50%. We found E-Krishi Kendra to be one such service provider to be one of the more effective ones that many farmers across the country have benefitted from.
credits: last minute engineers
Small Fish Aquarium Shaped Basin
Since consumption is unquantifiable, saving is frequently overlooked in favour of everyday consumption. Rather than pushing individuals to consume less, which would degrade the user experience, the Poor Little Fish basin uses an emotional approach to urge consumers to consider water conservation by making consumption tangible.
In this Fish basin, there is a classic fashioned fishbowl. While in use, the water level in the bowl gradually drops (but does not actually drain out); once the water is turned off, it returns to its original level. As well, the water from the tap is pure, as its pipeline does not connect to the bowl.
Credits- Inhabitat
Combination of Urinal and Sink to save water
To save water, the Eco-Urinal (product) is designed to flush the urine with the same water that was used to wash hands. Therefore we don't have to use water twice after using the urinal because of this method. Furthermore, optimizing the materials also helps lower establishment costs. This urinal's upper chamber is composed of glass, which ensures that users have a clear view. It also encourages people to maintain their hygiene by requiring them to wash their hands after urinating.
Credits- ifdesign