Water stewardship, a principle increasingly vital in today’s world, represents how we, as members of society, manage and care for this essential life-sustaining resource. Water, although rife across the globe, still persists as a scarce resource in many regions. Hence, it’s never been more pivotal to understand how we can effectively manage this essential resource to ensure a more sustainable future. This article aims to disinter the significance of water stewardship, its impact on sustainability, and what measures we can undertake to enhance our water stewardship practices.
What Is Water Stewardship?
As defined by the Alliance for Water Stewardship, water stewardship refers to the use of water in ways that are socially equitable, environmentally sustainable, and economically beneficial[^1^]. This practice involves understanding the local water challenges and taking appropriate measures to minimize impact on water resources in the immediate and wider community.
Crucially, water stewardship is not the sole effort of one entity or person—it’s a collaborative commitment to sustainable water management practices by businesses, communities, and individuals.
The Urgency of Water Stewardship
Growing global issues, such as climate change, pollution, and rampant industrialization, have accentuated the urgency of water stewardship. The United Nations World Water Development Report states that water use has been growing at twice the rate of the population increase in the last century[^2^]. Moreover, rising demand coupled with increasing scarcity has led to a worldwide need for improved water management.
Through effective water stewardship, we can reduce water scarcity, enhance biodiversity, increase food security, and sustain our ecosystems’ vitality. Thus, the benefits of water stewardship resonate beyond the environment—it brings social, economic, and institutional changes as well.
Approaches To Water Stewardship
Climate Adaptation
Climate change plays a substantial role in exacerbating water scarcity. Adapting to these changes hence becomes a significant fragment of water stewardship. Climate adaptation in the context of water stewardship may involve improved management of water systems to cope with changing precipitation patterns or extreme weather events[^3^].
Green Infrastructure
Green infrastructure is another potent route to foster water stewardship. Green infrastructure can be defined as a planned network of natural and semi-natural areas designed to offer a wide array of ecosystem services. By incorporating green infrastructure into urban landscapes, we aid water conservation through practices like wastewater management, rainwater harvesting, and stormwater management[^4^].
Water Balance
Understanding and maintaining water balance contributes to the efficient management of water resources. Water balance involves quantifying the inputs, outputs, and storages of water in a system. This data can help identify critical areas for intervention and help optimize water usage.
Conclusion
Water stewardship is an interactive, collective effort that draws from various paths, including climate adaptation, green infrastructure, and understanding water balance. By embracing and enacting the principles of water stewardship, we can develop a more sustainable relationship with our water resources. Remember, water stewardship is a shared responsibility, and how successfully we manage this priceless resource will define our future.
[^1^]: Alliance for Water Stewardship (2020). What is Water Stewardship?. [online] Available at: https://a4ws.org/what-is-water-stewardship/ [Accessed 1 May 2022].
[^2^]: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (2020). UN World Water Development Report 2020: Water and Climate Change. Paris. [online] Available at: https://en.unesco.org/themes/water-security/wwap/wwdr/2020 [Accessed 3 May 2022].
[^3^]: Patterson, L., Doyle, M. and Bibikova, T. (2018). Climate Adaptation. [online] World Wide Fund For Nature. Available at: https://wwf.panda.org/our_work/our_focus/climate_and_energy_practice/climate_adaptation/ [Accessed 5 May 2022].
[^4^]: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). What is Green Infrastructure?. [online] Available at: https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/what-green-infrastructure [Accessed 7 May 2022].
