World Water Day 2025: Protecting Our Future with Conscious Water Consumption
Today is World Water Day – an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness about the critical importance of freshwater. While 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, only 3% is freshwater, found in glaciers, ice caps, groundwater, and rivers. However, this small percentage of water, vital for human consumption, is rapidly depleting. Water scarcity, exacerbated by population growth and climate change, has become one of the most pressing issues of our time. Freshwater resources are under unprecedented pressure, and the need for urgent action has never been clearer as water stress and depletion continue to rise.
The Growing Water Crisis
Today, nearly 10% of the world’s population faces water scarcity. This crisis is worsened by droughts, over-extraction of groundwater, and pollution of rivers and lakes. Agriculture, industrialization, and urbanization place unsustainable demands on water resources.
In Sri Lanka, approximately 35.6% of the population is facing a water crisis, particularly those who live in the dry zone, with freshwater resources further depleted due to erratic rainfall, pollution, deforestation, and agricultural overuse. According to a 2021 report by the FAO, Sri Lanka is classified as highly water-stressed, with an indicator of 90.8%, reflecting the significant impact of human activities on the country’s water resources.
Driving Change with Sustainable Water Management
On World Water Day 2025, A-PAD SL calls for greater awareness of how businesses can use water more efficiently. From optimizing water use in manufacturing to reducing waste in supply chains and implementing water recycling systems, businesses have a significant role to play. Investing in water-saving technologies and adopting sustainable water management strategies are critical steps in preserving this vital resource. Governments, businesses, and individuals must all contribute to ensuring that clean, accessible water remains available for future generations.
Let’s reflect on our collective responsibility to conserve water. Through mindful conservation and proactive measures, we can reduce water stress, prevent the depletion of freshwater resources, and secure a sustainable future for all.
