CIC, NALCO promote Water Conservation through awareness and cooperation

World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

The fulfilment of basic human needs, the environment, socio-economic development and poverty reduction are all heavily dependent on water.

In conjunction with this initiative, World Water Day reiterates the need to utilise water as an instrument of peace, and provide opportunities for cooperation among users. Promoting water cooperation implies an interdisciplinary approach bringing in cultural, educational and scientific factors, as well as religious, ethical, social, political, legal, institutional and economic dimensions.

CIC Holdings PLC, a leading blue chip conglomerate in Sri Lanka, is extremely mindful of this situation and has always emphasised on sustainable business models. Accordingly, their partnership with NALCO, an Ecolab company, has been at the forefront of local water conservation for more than 25 years, especially in terms of industrial water management of local companies. With operations based in over 130 countries, around the world, NALCO is the world’s largest sustainability service provider for industries.

With expected increases in population, food demand is predicted to increase by 50% by 2030, while energy demand from hydropower and other renewable energy resources will rise by 60%. These issues are all interconnected; increasing agricultural output, for example, will substantially increase both water and energy consumption, leading to increased competition for water between water-using sectors.

Moreover, a projected population growth of 2–3 billion people over the next 40 years, combined with changing diets, result in a predicted increase in food demand of 70% by 2050. Economic growth and individual wealth are shifting diets from predominantly starch-based meals to meat and dairy, which require more water. For example, producing 1kg of rice requires approximately 3,500 litres of water, while 1kg of beef requires approximately 15,000 litres.

Given the current global water crisis, it is important for businesses and organizations involved in agriculture, food production and manufacturing to make a conscious effort towards conservation and waste management. Simple steps such as setting specific goals for conservation, using equipment that is water efficient, monitoring leaks and unnecessary waste and involving employees in all conservation efforts can go a long way in preserving the limited resource.