The problem of water scarcity is not something unique to individual third-world countries or areas located in a desert. Many countries across the globe have to solve problems related to the availability of clean drinking water for the citizens. Conserving water is another issue that many parts of the world are dealing with. Here are 10 countries taking steps to make sure everyone has access to clean drinking water every day.
1. India
India has the second largest population in the world. It also has a serious problem in giving all of its citizens access to clean drinking water and clean bathroom facilities. Many poor Indian people don’t have running water in their homes, and they are more likely to be exposed to water-borne illnesses. In 2014, India partnered with the World Bank and pledged to bring safe drinking water to some of its most remote village areas. India also hopes to provide clean sanitation facilities to the people in these regions.
2. Canada
Canada is one of the countries leading the way to provide safe and affordable drinking water to all of its people. The government does this by firstly prioritizing the environmental impact onto the Canadian drinking water supply. Water quality is constantly and consistently monitored by Canadian scientists as well. Additionally, Canada works to keep their water usage at a reasonable level.
3. Germany
Germany’s people enjoy plenty of fresh and clean water in this European nation. Germany also sets the standard for some of the best policies in the world that support water conservation. The people in Germany have committed to helping in the effort to conserve water, and they use plenty of highly efficient and low flow appliances, such as toilets, washers, and dishwashers.
4. Bulgaria
When Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007, one of its goals was to update its infrastructure. Some of the country’s citizens still don’t have access to modern sewage facilities. Bulgaria has made it a goal to update their wastewater facilities around the country to give more people access to this basic human right.
5. The Netherlands
The main issue that has historically plagued The Netherlands is the low-lying land that could potentially flood with misuse of water and infrastructure facilities. Despite their risk for floods, The Netherlands has managed to channel much of the water around their land into usable reservoirs and canals. The drinking water in the country is some of the finest in the world, and the Dutch people take individual responsibility to conserve water whenever possible.
6. Australia
A large portion of Australia is covered in dry desert, making water supply to these areas a challenge. The area is also prone to long periods of drought, which makes water conservation something everyone needs to be a part of. Australia has combated its water shortage issues by investing more money into ocean water desalination plants, which help the country take advantage of the plentiful seawater around its land.
7. The United States
In the United States, the Southern California region has been working to try and find a solution for water supply problems. There are several privately funded projects that aim to develop better methods of conserving water in this area. The cadiz water project is hoping to create a new source of water for the people in this area by capturing groundwater before the sun and heat evaporate it.
8. China
China’s huge population presents a problem to government agencies and officials with ensuring everyone gets access to clean water. Pollution is another issue that has recently started affecting the Chinese people. For now, China’s solution to their water problem is to begin using a massive water pipeline that diverts water from the lush south to the drier north.
9. Russia
Russia also struggles to get enough clean water to its people. Conservation and climate aren’t really the issue in Russia; the infrastructure and government accountability are making things worse. Russia is making an attempt to fix their aging water supply infrastructure facilities, which are leftovers from the former Soviet Union. They are also trying to see how to take advantage of their vast supply from the many different reservoirs in the country and give more people higher quality drinking water in the nation.
10. Brazil
One of the ways that Brazil is now working to help conserve their natural rivers and lakes and bring more high- quality water to all in the country has to do with forest preservation. Pollution, drought, and the Zika virus have threatened to derail some of the progress environmental scientists have made in Brazil. The government has fought some of these problems by investing in natural infrastructure, such as wetlands and rainforest, to help filter and clean the rivers and lakes in the country.
Clean drinking water and basic sanitation facilities are human rights that all people around the globe should have access to. Many countries around the world are putting money into improving the water situation in their regions to help promote a healthy environment and population of people.