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Rios, Chris

Mr. .Rivas

AP English Language Composition

Spring 2018

Clean Water

Everybody should have access to clean water by any means necessary, but the world

lacks basic sanitation to clean and purified drinking water. It is obvious every human being needs

water to survive, but there isn’t enough clean water in the world to supply every human being.

Here are a couple of key factors involving the clean water crisis, “780 million people live

without clean drinking water, more than one-third of Africa’s population lacks access to safe

drinking water. There will be about 1 billion more mouths to feed worldwide by 2025 and global

agriculture alone will require another 1 trillion cubic meters of water per year (equal to the

annual flow of 20 Niles or 100 Colorado Rivers).” Over the past 40 years the world’s population

has doubled and use of water has quadrupled. 25-33% of Chinese do not have access to safe

drinking water.By 2035, the world’s energy consumption will increase by 35 percent, which in

turn will increase water use by 15 percent according to the International Energy Agency.

With that being said water is a necessity to human life in all aspects. Globally,

approximately one quarter (¼) of the earth’s population lacks access to clean safe drinking water,

and nearly one billion people live without basic sanitation resulting to a decline in clean and

purified drinking water. Unfortunately Earth approximately only has 2.5% of clean water

available which are found in rivers, lakes, and glaciers which is very crucial for human life.
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Earth is lacking natural resources in which the people, fail to comprehend. Robert Redford

claimed, “we’ve poisoned the air, the water, and the land. In our passion to control nature, things

have gone out of control. Progress from now on has to mean something different. We’re running

out of resources and we are running out of time.” He comprehends the issue in which will hurt us

long term. It is highly imperative to be able to pursue the necessity of clean water where ¼ of the

missing population, which lacks access, may have access to clean water. This is a global issue

affecting many parts of the world which will soon heavily affect a huge portion of the

population.

The necessity for proper water sanitation is crucial for its development of clean water.

The availability of safe drinking water is extremely vital in all aspects of life. It’s been reported

that half of the hospital beds in developing countries are filled with people suffering from

diseases by poor water quality, sanitation, and poor hygiene. For example, in areas of the world

such as Australia, the continent has had water restrictions which have been enacted in many

regions of the continent affecting many cities inside the world’s most driest nhabited continent

that has very little natural resources. Climate change also has a really huge impact on Australia’s

freshwater. As we all know, climate change is also drastically affecting water levels the world

over. The available freshwater in Australia is expected to drop significantly as rainfall patterns

change which heavily limits the amount of freshwater available. Other than that, other parts of

the world have also been affected with not enough clean water supply such as the low-income

regions of Africa, Libya, Haiti, etc. An estimate of nearly two million children a year die for

want of clean water and proper sanitation, but that’s not all. In South Africa’s second largest city,

it is said to have water for at least 3 more months by April 3rd. Residents recycle bath water to
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help flush toilets and are constantly being told to limit their showers to 90 seconds long. But

again that’s not all. This problem also affects students trying to pursue in their academic career.

Children miss significant amount of school due to water borne illnesses such as cholera and

dysentery. Usually when people think about improving education, they think about hiring better

teachers, increasing funding, and buying new school supplies. In many countries around the

world, however, improving education is not just about pedagogy or pencils—there are multiple

cross-cutting issues that need to be addressed if more children are to enroll and stay in school, a

significant one being the global water crisis that is currently affecting the education of millions

of children. Every year children throughout the world miss 443 million days of school because of

water-borne illness. We know that access to school is absolutely essential to a country’s

sustainable development, and yet water insecurity and lack of sanitation places so many hurdles

in the way that it becomes difficult to make headway toward educational goals. Unsafe water is

responsible for several diseases, the most common is diarrhea, which kills nearly 1,000 children

a day. Other water-related illnesses include cholera, malaria, trachoma, and worm infestations.

Students miss class when they themselves contract these diseases, but also when they have to

stay home to care for infected parents and siblings. And, when a teacher is sick, classes are

cancelled altogether so that all the students in a class miss out on their education. Lack of

sanitation can cause many problems in a society. Although people don’t value what they have,

they choose to value when it’s running out. People aren’t aware by the consequences of their

actions. Society today often take hour long showers, throw a half empty water bottle down the

drain, leave the sink running unattended, etc. At the pace society is headed in, it will be no

surprise that Earth will have no clean water available.

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The U.S. population has doubled over the past 50 years, while our thirst for water has

tripled. With at least 40 states anticipating water shortages by 2024, the need to conserve water is

critical. EPA strives to integrate water management best practices at all of its facilities. There are

different components and organizations that regulate the quality of clean water. For example the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in charge of overseeing and observing the water that

comes out of your tap. The Agency sets regulatory limits for the amounts of certain contaminants

in water provided by public water systems. It’s job is to protect and purify the water running

through your tap. The Environmental Protection Agency removes undesirable chemicals,

biological contaminants, suspended solids and gases from water to make the water we drink

clean and drinkable. According to a study in 2013, The Environmental Protection Agency found

chemicals such as Aluminum, Ammonia, Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, to be the most common

contaminants found in water which are very dangerous to the human body. The findings

highlight how six decades of industrial dumping, farming pollution, and water plant and

distribution pipe deterioration have taken a toll on local water systems. Many of the nation’s

largest city systems violated EPA safety standards during the past decade, potentially exposing

tens of millions of people to dangerous contaminants. The crisis for clean water is serious.

Fresh water is one of our most vital resources, and when our water is polluted it is not

only devastating to the environment, but also to human health. The US relies on public water

systems to treat and deliver just over 44 billion gallons of clean water each day to our homes,

schools and businesses. Much of that water comes from rivers, lakes and other surface water
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sources. Before it is delivered to our homes it is treated to remove chemicals, particulates and

bacteria. There are different uses to receive clean water, whether it’s a process of filtering or the

distribution of the clean water supply. Water is essential for us human beings because it’s the

root to all life. It helps us bathe, cook, clean, and keep us hydrated. For 2005, most of the fresh

surface-water withdrawals, 41 percent, was used in the thermoelectric-power industry to cool

electricity-generating equipment. Water used in this manner is most often returned to the water

body from which it came. That is why the more significant use of surface water is for irrigation,

which used up about 31 percent of all fresh surface water; ignoring thermoelectric-power

withdrawls, irrigation accounted for about 63 percent of the Nation’s surface-water withdrawals.

Public supply and industrial were the next largest users of surface water. Humans cannot drink

saline water, the water contain too many contaminants which can endanger the human body. But

saline water can be turned into fresh water by the process of removing the dissolved salt in

seawater. This process allows the water to be purified into fresh drinking water. Many companies

are taking into consideration to have desalination plants built to regulate the water we drink. As

of today, seven ocean desalination plants are under consideration along the coast from Dana

Point to Monterey Bay. By the mid 2020’s, those plants could be using the Pacific to Produce

about 10 percent of the fresh water needed in parts of Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

Another project, in Carlsbad, opened about a year ago and is on track to produce about 8 percent

of San Diego’s water.

Different countries have certain regulations against protecting and conserving water.

Many areas around the world have trouble conserving water which causes many countries

around the world to decrease in population due to the amount of deaths. Despite certain countries
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not having proper water conservation, there are countries that value the preservation of fresh and

clean water. They value their water and are aware of the consequences.What’s the importance of

having a great supply of clean water anyway? Water is one of our primary needs. We are made

up of 60% water. Drinking clean water is important too, this is to maintain the individual systems

in our body functions and water helps sustain our temperature. Polluted water is deadly, and it’s

obviously not just dirty water but is lethal to our body. Millions of people die each year because

of cholera and disease related to unclean and unsafe drinking of water. 91% of the globals

population uses an improved water source. Regions like Singapore, France, Colombia, Latvia,

New Zealand, Austria, Costa Rica, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland have the most

freshest clean water. They have natural resources in which they value and preserve. Singapore

only started to treat its wastewater a few years ago by using advanced methods of purification

and micro-filtration. Yet, they are already making a huge impact and establishing its name in the

top rank countries in having the cleanest water in the world. France, The wastewater

management of this state is almost close to 100% and it gives the citizens flawless drinking and

usage. Though, the country is encountering problems about its nature, security of aquatic

resources and formation of marine boundaries, the management and marine life protection

groups are working their best to save France’s biodiversity. Colombia is one of the countries

with the cleanest water in the world. The water management assures the people of Colombia to

produce only clean drinking water and the wastewater is treated and used in agriculture.

Colombia is also rich in flowers and coffee, that is why water is needed so it won’t affect the

local produce. Latvia, The management of wastewater, high-standard facilities, quality of

drinking water, and manipulation of aquatic resources are truly amazing in Latvia. The tap water

in the country is safe to drink. You can enjoy swimming in the clean and cool water of Latvia’s
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beaches as well and it’s amazing. New Zealand is not only prominent in importing different

kinds of cheese; it is still operating for their carbon dioxide release management and preservation

of their marine area. Plus points that will make you adore New Zealand more are its wastewater

administration and high standards of drinking water. New Zealand owns dirt-free lakes as well!

Austria kills the 6th spot with the cleanest water in the world. The way they handle their

agriculture is commendable and the way they conserve their water resources is highly

methodical. Until now, they continue to develop their wastewater treatment to improve the

quality of water they distribute nationwide. Costa Rica, industries in this country apply

international eco-friendly values and its wastewater is administered as well. Almost all of the

wastewater goes to the treatment process of converting it to clean water. FInland, Also known as

“Land of a thousand lakes”, of course, the caliber of its drinking water is high class. Finland has

thousands of spas and saunas that most of the locals and tourists enjoy. That’s why the country

needs to maintain its high-quality water resources. Finland is also one of the best in utilizing

aquatic resources and directing cultivation. Norway, it is also one of the top countries with the

cleanest water in the world. Its rank shows how good the quality of the water sources is and

wastewater supervision. This country is supplied by hydroelectric power plants. This is a big and

practical move when conserving energy. Sweden is the 2nd country that holds the title of having

the cleanest water on Earth. The country is leading in managing low carbon dioxide discharge,

conservation of purified air and producing an outstanding drinking water. Sweden is also known

for having crystal clear water at its beaches, lakes and rivers.Switzerland is ultimately, the

country with the cleanest water in the world! It is not only renowned for its delicious chocolates,

but also for having the most cautious management of water resources. Switzerland is using the

latest technology in the treatment of wastewater and in providing a first-rate drinking water.
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Other than these group of countries that have the freshest water, countries like Finland, Iceland,

Sweden, Denmark, and Slovenia have the strictest rules on clean water preservation. In Finland,

caring for the environment is a point of national pride. Finland’s goal of consuming 38 percent of

their final energy from renewable sources by 2020 is legally binding, and they already produce

nearly two-thirds of their electricity from renewable or nuclear power sources. These

achievements contribute to Finland’s high marks on every issue category except for agriculture

and forestry.Iceland produces 100 percent of its electricity and meets 85% of its total energy

needs from renewable sources. Iceland is renowned for its volcanically-charged geothermal

power stations that generate a greater share of its electricity than any other nation.Sweden has the

largest population among the Nordic countries and boasts the third-largest surface area in the

European Union. The country performs well in the Agriculture, Water (Environmental Health

and Vitality), and Climate Change and Energy categories.Denmark ranks fourth in the 2016 EPI,

due in part to its high marks on Biodiversity and Habitat and Water. More than 30,000 species of

flora and fauna call Denmark home, and the country has implemented a suite of legislative

strategies to protect their biodiversity. Denmark ranks 12th on Water and Sanitation

(Environmental Health) and 13th on Water Resources (Environmental Vitality). Denmark’s good

performance on Water is associated with water quality monitoring and technological innovation

designed to ensure clean water. Water isn’t just clean because of various natural resources some

countries have, fresh water is naturally occurring water on Earth’s surface in ice sheets, ice caps,

glaciers, icebergs, bogs, ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams. Groundwater is found in aquifers and

underground streams. Fresh water is generally characterized by having low concentrations of

dissolved salts and other total dissolved salts. The quality of our water is directly linked to the

quality of our lives. By supporting clean water initiatives and similar measures that improve our
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water and wastewater treatment systems, we can each have a hand in ensuring clean, safe water

for ourselves, our families, and our communities.

Although fresh water is becoming scarce throughout the planet, it is very essential to

human health and maintenance; although human consumption poses as an obstacle, there are

organizations dedicated to the restoration of clean water for the planet. For example,

organizations such as MIYA, Water.org, Columbia Water Center, Three Avocados, EPA, are all

in charge or take role in cleaning and purifying your water but Did you know freshwater makes

up a very small fraction of all water on the planet? Nearly 70 percent of earth’s water is majorly

equipped with dirty water. That leaves a range of 30% freshwater available throughout the world

and water is vital to us humans. Humans use water for everything from drinking and bathing to

growing crops, supporting livestock and fish farms, shipping goods, and generating electricity.

Humans also use water to keep their skin moisturized because drinking plenty of water keeps

your skin moisturized and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fault lines. If you don’t drink

enough pure water, your body will try to retain it in order to conserve resources. This retention

makes your skin puffy and can even lead to bloating. Drinking water also helps you lose weight

because water suppresses your appetite so you don’t eat as much. Drinking plenty of water also

prevents fluid retention, drinking water also helps you build muscle. Drinking plenty of water

enables your muscles to work harder and longer before they feel tired and gain duration. Water

can help increase stamina because your body runs on fluid as energy. A very important problem

that is endangering the quality of our water is climate change. Climate change is producing

profound changes in this precious commodity, it threatens water availability, access, and even

quality. The relationship between water, energy, agriculture and climate is a significant one.
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More and more, that relationship is falling out of balance of not only water, but jeopardizing

food, and energy security. Climate change is a phenomenon we can no longer neglect as its

effects have become increasingly noticeable worldwide. As the earth's temperature continues to

rise, we can expect a significant impact on our fresh water supplies with the potential for

devastating effects on these resources. As temperatures increases, evaporation increases as well,

sometimes resulting in droughts. Rising temperatures are melting glacial ice at an unprecedented

rate. Glaciers are an important source of freshwater worldwide, but are falling apart due to high

amounts in temperatures. Climate change can really impact our natural resources and seems to

already begin.

California has been open to many droughts and lack of water resources. Climate change

and a series of unfortunate events such as wildfires, landslides, and earthquake all heavily impact

our water. Society has been known to endangering our oceans by acts of loitering, urinating in

the ocean, and throwing trash inside the ocean. California is an overpopulated city, home of also

one of the biggest poverty rates in the country. California has a water contamination problem,

California lacks access to clean, safe drinking water. Trash has been found in rivers, lakes,

oceans, and have continued to get worse. Trash discarded on land frequently makes its way into

streams, creeks, rivers, and eventually the ocean, as rain storms wash it into gutters and storm

drains. Types of trash generated by human activity that frequently pollute waterways include

cigarette packs, trash bags, plastic bottles, metal cans, etc. Nor they do not harm our natural

resources but they also harm our wildlife. Seeing as California is overpopulated and declared in a

state of drought, new analysis and regulations have had to take place. The Federal Clean Water

Act, adopted in 1972, was long interpreted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as
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providing California-style streams the same protection from polluters as their East Coast

counterparts. Clean water is essential to human life and climate change is killing our natural

resources.