Rahul has completed the exercises and his sister started teaching the next lesson, “Let’s Save Water.”

Ramya: “Water is the first and foremost important element in Panchabhutas. Thiruvallur has made us realize the importance of growing water in a single line – “நீரின்றி அமையாது உலகு”.

Rahul: “Sister, there is more water in the universe than land. So why should we save water?”

Ramya: “Two-thirds of the earth we live on is surrounded by water and the rest by land. However, the reality is that we cannot use all parts of water. The demand for water is also increasing day by day due to the increasing population. Therefore, water storage has become very important. In this lesson you will learn how to save water and its benefits.

Water saving methods:

We do not have to take massive measures to save water. We can save a certain amount of water per day without wasting it. Let’s see how to implement this at home.

• Water used for washing vegetables and dishes can be stored and used for gardens.
• Do not leave tap water open when not in use.
• Close the tap when brushing utensils or while brushing teeth.
• Installation of irrigation pipes.
• Avoid using the washing machine too much as much as possible.
• Turn off the shower while applying soap & shampoo.
• Using a bucket instead of shower can prevent wastage of water while bathing.
• Keep swimming pools covered to prevent water evaporation.
• About 10,200 litres of water per year is wasted for one drop of water leaks per second. Make sure to fix any leaks in the pipes to save water.
• Sensor mounted tubes can be fitted to prevent excess water usage and leaks through hoses. This can save up to 35 litres of water per day, down from 12 litres per minute to 600 millilitres.

Water saving techniques:

• Rainwater harvesting
• Keep pools and lakes lean
• Aerator storage mode
• Water meter that measures water consumption

Measures taken by Indian States to conserve water:

• Maharashtra – Drainage lines have been revised.
• Telangana – The construction of tanks has changed the lives of the villagers.
• Rajasthan – Small ponds on people’s farms.
• Tamil Nadu – Naga River Rehabilitation Project to Renew Naga River”

Rahul: “What are the causes of water scarcity in India?”

Ramya: “Water scarcity is caused by natural and human activities. Causes of water problems include:

• Lack of proper management of resources such as lakes & ponds
• The carelessness of the government
• Waste generated by human activities
• Destruction of water resources and urbanization

It is for these reasons that access to drinking water is still a problem today. Man can survive even without food for few days but without water the life of living being is impossible. The need for water for drinking, bathing, cooking and plant growth is inevitable.