The issues we face are so big and the targets are so challenging that we cannot do it alone. When you look at any issue, such as food or water scarcity, it is very clear that no individual institution, government or company can provide the solution. Paul Polman, CEO, Unilever
Today, 22 March, is World Water Day on the United Nations calendar. This year’s theme, ‘Nature for Water’ aims to drive nature-based solutions to water crisis especially in areas where grey infrastructure is impractical or costly. Today, 36% (2.5 billion) of the world’s population is affected by water scarcity; 2 billion people globally are compelled to drink unsafe water, 700 million people worldwide face the risk of displacement by intense water scarcity by 2030, and by 2050. In Nigeria alone, UNICEF reports that over 70 million people do not have access to safe drinking water. The National Bureau of Statistics reports that 42.1% of households in Kano lack access to safe drinking water. In Lagos, only 8.9% have improved water sources. And across the country, less than 61% of the population have access to running water.
The water crisis is a business risk extraordinaire, water scarcity and pollution impacts the capacity of individuals and whole communities to create and subscribe to value. In response to this crisis business must join hands with other sectors to ensure water is managed sustainably and as a shared and public resource. As we witness in Cape Town, South Africa, severe drought combines with trends of industrialization and urbanization serve to produce a massive water crisis. This picturesque city of 4 million people is to become the first major modern city to completely run dry.
How can we better manage water?
Approaches to water management require understanding of the resource issue from various perspectives. African water basins are trans-boundary in nature, but laws are too weak to foster efficient water management.Interestingly, water waste is highest where water is scarce! In the remote villages, where there arewater basins, water is used less efficiently; water pollution and related disease outbreak are common. In the growing cities, demand for safe water is rising to among rapidly expanding urban populationsdrifting in from the countryside. From the industry perspective, efficiency implies reduction in water wastage and efforts to sustainably provide clean water and sanitation facilities to communities through corporate social responsibility (CSR). Given these multiple scenes of action there is an urgent need for collaboration on water governance:corporations, governments and business have to not only look in toenhance water stewardship in their operations but join hands ensuresustainable water management based on three principles: social equity, economic efficiency, and ecological sustainability.
What is business doing?
Industrial activities put strain on water reserves in at least two simple ways: competition for water resource and external effects of grey water disposal. Some industries have developed internal targets to reduce water use in production e.g. Nigerian Breweries by 25% and Guinness by 50%. Some adoptforward integration in bottled water production as an additional businessoff their core production process. Examples include Coca-Cola with Eva water, PepsiCo with Aquafina and Nestlé with Purelife. Still others, clustered in the trade zones are trying integrated methods by sharing ancillary services and management of utilities, exchange of water bye-products for cleaning, agriculture, irrigation, fire-extinguishing etc. These integrated approachescould reduce wastewater disposal into the environment and also optimize post-industrial usage. It is important to go further to invest systemically in recycling plastic packaging and bottles which pollute natural landscapes and waterways. Water can also be reused in other production processes, depending on the initial use.
Corporate social responsibility
Awareness campaigns and water provision is communities are other ways business can address the water crisis. A number of businesses have embarked on water campaigns in local communities across Nigeria to educate about the values and management of water. In Nigeria, Nestlé’s WET (Water Education for Teachers) is one example. In addition to awareness campaigns, there are also CSR projects on water provision in communities e.g. Nigeria Breweries’ solar-powered boreholes project, TGI Group’s water treatment plants, Guinness Water Health Centre and ‘Water of Life’ Scheme etc. Some of these businesses also have internal policies targeted at reducing water consumption in their production processes so as to reduce pressure on water due to urbanization and industrialization.The next sequent step of engagement is increasing collaboration between businesses, communities, civil society actors and government to ensure that water solutions are sufficiently joined-up and sustainable.
In conclusion, the status quo shows individual business efforts and progress. There is need for greater harmony in the approach to water management. At a higher level, it is important to establish effective domestic water governance initiatives to manage water infrastructure, track water data, develop rules, and ensure compliance to water policies. There is also room for funding for innovation and technology in water management,to address the gap in service delivery and improve access to safe water. A decentralized system of wastewater treatment, an integrated approach to water management in communities, mass education for efficient use of water at source, creating enabling environment for investment in water, are key business initiatives to ensure clean and safe water for a sustainable world.We must join hands towards this common cause recognizing, as late Afrobeat Legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti sang, “Water no get enemy.”
Ijeoma Nwagwu
