Towards Total Water Awareness: A Technology Framework

Abstract

The world is running out of fresh water to support a growing population. Aquifers around the world on which whole communities depend are being depleted at a rapid rate. Apart from exploring new technologies to make more fresh water available, conservation efforts need to be stepped up—starting with awareness. Lack of awareness can seriously hamper water conservation efforts—take the example of Cape Town South Africa. The city is currently battling a severe water crisis that has put Cape Town on a road to a day, when the taps will literally run dry—“day zero”. The city stepped up efforts to create awareness of the increasingly dire situation through various channels. So why as of January 2018 with “day zero” two months away, has 60% of the city’s population still not adjusted their usage? The study of water consumption is an active field that has produced concepts like virtual water, water footprint and water accounting which all can help to provide a deeper understanding amongst users regarding the impact of their usage. Technology creates a potential opportunity to collect and present usage data in such a way as to influence user behaviour to favour a sustainable approach.