Today, we are often confronted with the fact that water is scarce. We are not just talking about an isolated phenomenon affecting one municipality or one part of the world, but a global crisis. It is clear that if we want to improve our future, the lives of our children and grandchildren, we must save water.
How much water is available?
Water covers 71% of the Earth's surface. However, only a fraction of this vast amount of water, about 2.5-3%, is freshwater that can be used by humanity. However, a significant part of it (about 80%) is contained in the polar ice sheet, so there is much less of it than we think. While the demand for water is increasing day by day, the Earth's drinking water supply is drastically decreasing. According to UN scientists, water shortages will reach drastic proportions by the end of the century. Protecting our planet's water resources and using freshwater wisely are in our common interest. It will not only be worth its weight in gold, it will be more expensive than anything else.
What we feared has happened
The gloomy predictions that scientists have been making lately are not new. We are indeed running out of our basic life-support. Of course, the current human population is not yet so badly affected, but we are facing a very serious crisis in the future. It is indeed a big you need to conserve available water resources.
Most of the direct use is used by agriculture and is used for industrial purposes. The waste is staggering, and water is needed by the entire population of the planet. According to a UN study, in 50 years there will be 40 % more people on the planet, while our water resources are rapidly diminishing.
Hungary is not doing well, but we have hidden reserves
It should also be remembered that more than 901T3T of Hungary's surface water comes from abroad. And we have absolutely no way of regulating the quality and quantity of water in our rivers. Nevertheless, we are in a good position, as the stratified Pleistocene and Upper Pannonian sediments of the Great Plain store huge quantities of freshwater. We do not use it, nor do we care, worth a treasure. It is also one of the world's major river basins according to the International Classification of Wetlands, which is why is of great importance protecting our domestic water sources.
We use too much water
Developed countries use 2-3 times more water than the natural water cycle can provide. As a result, shortages are increasing and the natural environment is changing. Water management only heals wounds, it does not seek solutions. Added to this are all the negative effects of global warming, which we are unfortunately feeling on our own skin. According to experts, the circular economy can be the foundation for the future, and with this in mind, steps must be taken to use water resources wisely and avoid natural disasters.
Climate policy measures, reducing emissions and raising awareness in society have become the focus of attention. Circular water management, the creation of an agriculture and food industry, and the empowerment of individuals must all operate under the banner of sustainability.
Water is also in the interest of hospitality
Water is essential to the life of a restaurant. It's needed in all areas, for cooking, for serving guests, and it's essential for restaurant hygiene. Hot and cold water is a must for catering establishments. Water supply is an important aspect of kitchen design, so the most optimal solutions must be considered.
General solutions
- Never run the tap unnecessarily!
- Fix the dripping taps! We can save a lot of money.
- Choose economical kitchen appliances.
- While you wait for the desired temperature of hot or cold water to flow out of the tap, you can pour the water into a container and use it for other purposes later.
- Keep a water jug in the kitchen, which you can also keep in the fridge. If someone is thirsty, don't pour water from the tap.
- Do not use running water to defrost frozen food.
- Do not waste ice/ice shavings. Collect the excess in a container. If it accidentally falls on the ground, pick it up and use it to water plants.
- One of the biggest enemies of both households and catering is scale. It also deposits on kitchen appliance parts, degrading the performance and shortening the life of the appliance. Unfortunately, this means that you have to use and refill the appliance more often, so you use more water. So if you want to be careful with your water use, pay more attention to your equipment!
It is in our common interest to look after the water. Let us try to do our utmost to ensure that future generations have enough for themselves.
