Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink?

Water is one of our most precious natural resources that supports all life. From regulating the Earth’s temperature to keeping our body working smoothly, water is integral for all living beings to survive.

Yet, it is the resource that faces the maximum abuse. Water wastage is at its peak due to careless mass commercialization in industries and agriculture. To add to that, almost 70% of global waste is dumped directly into rivers, lakes and oceans, taking water pollution to an all-time high.

According to a statement by the United Nations published in the popular media platform ‘The Logical Indian’, ‘2.4 Billion Urban Population is likely to face water scarcity by 2050, of which India is likely to be most severely affected.’

With less than 3 decades at our hand to reverse the damage caused in the last century, the time to take action is NOW! At Akshayakalpa Organic, we take the health of the environment very seriously and conserving water has been a priority for us from the very get-go.

Here’s what your favourite organic dairy organization is doing to keep our water clean, safe and available:

1. Ponds in our model farm: We have set up 5 man-made farm ponds that can collectively hold 25 lakh liters of water. These ponds serve as a storage for excess rain water during the rainy season and also help recharge the ground water table in the area.
2. Planting of over 3000 trees: Trees serve as vertical water columns on our farms. Tree roots balance the water cycle and prevent run-off, hold moisture and elevate the levels of water in the soil.
3. Effluent Treatment Plants in our manufacturing plant: Water is used in the processing and packaging process of milk. Conventionally, this water is discarded as waste. However, through our Effluent Treatment Plant, this water is recycled and the clean water is used for irrigation. This not only prevents dumping of polluted water but also ensures that we are relying on ground water for irrigation.
4. Rainwater harvesting pits around the farm: Having rainwater harvesting systems on the farm is a mandatory protocol for all Akshayakalpa farmers.
5. Rooftop rainwater harvesting pits to capture rainwater that falls off the roof: This is an added way to collect rain water for re-use
6. Foot pedals for all taps that reduce the use of water: Taps around the farms have foot pedals to ensure that no water is wasted due to running taps when one washes hands etc.

While these are methods adopted by Akshayakalpa at the farm and plant level to conserve water, small steps from each of us at our homes can go a long way in saving water too. Keeping an eye out for leaks, turning off the faucet while brushing teeth or shaving and washing full loads of laundry are simple, mindful ways in which we can optimize our use of this precious resource.

It is time we as individuals step up and take control of our water consumption habits before it is too late. Or as it says in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s famous poem ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’, there will be water, water everywhere but not a drop will be safe or clean enough to drink!