WATER….

Water is something we take for granted. We are blessed with good drinking water and we have an endless supply for domestic use. Here in the UK, on average 150 litres of water are used per person every day, but if you know that a third of it is wasted, we should get rather alarmed. Although 70 % of the earth is covered with water, only 1% is fit to drink. Already, millions of people around the world have no access to fresh, running water, or never had. UNESCO has predicted that by 2027 water shortages could be a serious problem worldwide. They could affect us too. As we know all too well, nature does not always provide us with the balance we would wish and need. Floods and droughts can come within short intervals, and both create serious problems.

Do you remember the 6 Maasai Warriors from Tanzania who ran in the London Marathon? They ran in car-tyre sandals, carrying their heavy shields, they sang and danced but they did not drink any water during the whole race. Why? They were here on a big mission. They aimed to collect £60 000 for the installation of a much needed water source back home. They reached their target. Lets hope that the misery of their water shortage will be eased by their new water system.

What a contrast to the thousands of runners in their high tech shoes and with water bottle in hand, which they throw away after a few sips only to collect a new one round the corner. Here, so far, water is in endless supply. We can spill it; we can waste it. Why not? But we all have a big responsibility to conserve water and to use it sensibly.

On a holiday on a sheep station in Australia I met the farmer’s wife who had grown up much further inland. Water there was very rare. When it rained from time to time, she and her many sisters would run down to the creek and had a “bath”. Now, she was living in this modern farmhouse with proper water installations and a shower. She did not take it for granted, because whenever she was in the bathroom and turned the taps on, she thanked God for this blessing.

So when you have your next shower, say a little prayer and turn the taps off a bit earlier. Every litre we save is important and it could be worth its weight in gold as far as our future is concerned.

Elisabeth Davies