WATER is probably the most valuable resource on earth. Every living thing requires an adequate supply of water and it has been proven that the provision of clean water contributes significantly to a high quality of life. We use water every day—for drinking, for bathing, for cooking and cleaning, for watering our plants, for recreation, and for many other things that we do not necessarily see but which are important to our lives. Water is also needed in agriculture for irrigation, aquaculture, and is even a mode of transportation. While a human being can survive for up to three weeks without food, if no water is available for three to five days, a human being can die.
By polluting water, all of its uses are degraded. Pollution can come from domestic, agricultural and industrial sources. Believe it or not, when we do not dispose of our waste properly, eventually, they will end up in waterways. This results in an unsightly and unhealthy water body which we would not be able to use. Polluted water usually has a foul scent, which makes living rather uncomfortable and our risk of flooding is increased since our drainage system would be seriously compromised.     Water related diseases, such as cholera and malaria would become prevalent in society since an unhealthy environment is the perfect breeding ground for vectors such as mosquitoes, rats and flies. From agriculture, pesticides, fertilizers, and animal wastes can enter our waterways when used. The wastewater from industries would also enter our waterways when they are improperly disposed. Depending on the amount of waste allowed to enter our waterways, this could mean that our water supply would be at an unacceptable level for use. Without clean, purified potable water for washing, bathing and cooking, we will begin experiencing the terrible water related diseases and deaths that accompany contaminated water. Also, one form of recreation will be lost, since no one would want to swim or even take a boat ride in polluted water.
It is very evident then, that without water, or with a low quality of water, we would have no food, we would live in unsanitary conditions and we would even lose a form of recreation. Therefore, to ensure that we are able to live proper lives, we must realize that our water resources need to be kept intact and be of a good quality.

Water Quality Word Search

AGRICULTURE         DISEASES
AQUACULTURE       DRAINAGE
BATHING                 DRINKING
CONTAMINATED      INDUSTRIAL
COOKING                LIFE
LIVING                    POLLUTION
PURIFIED                QUALITY
RECREATION          RESOURCE
SUPPLY                  UNSANITARY
WASTE                   WATER
WATERWAYS

You can share ideas and questions by sending your letters to: ‘Our Earth, Our Environment’, C/o EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email eit.epaguyana@gmail.com