English: Through Absence, We Know the Value of Water

“We never know the worth of water, till the water is dry” – Thomas Fuller.

Were you around Selangor during the second week of March? Did you experience the water rationing that happened that time? A notice of water supply disruption was blasted two days earlier saying that certain areas in Selangor will experience absence of water due to some repair work at a water treatment plant from 7th March to 9th March. My parents, being proactive as usual started to store water in buckets for our basics sanitary needs and the plants at home. Two days went by, and the water was still not available. Luckily, water was still sufficient but we were using everything limitedly. Then four days went by, and still no sign of water. I gasped with horror. Somehow other places have started to receive their water supply. As for my house area, there was still no sign.

 

On the fifth day, our family’s water storage was left with only a few buckets. Barely enough to clean up and take bath leisurely for the whole family. I was seriously washing my face and brushing my teeth with only one pail of water per day to ensure I do not overuse the water. With half a bucket to take bath. Concurrently, the weather was unbearably hot. The weather that week was 33 degrees average and obviously I needed extra water to wash up. Who wouldn’t? I was going nuts. When will the water supply come back, I wondered? And that night, my neighbourhood was on uproar. It was the fifth night and still no water. And the water tanker finally came. My neighbours were becoming feisty to get the water from the water tanker. I joined the neighbours to get some water. Till the sixth day, still no sign of water. I was even bringing my four wheel drive to get more water from the tanker.

 

So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny? (Quran 55:67)

 

Water is definitely an essential entity for us to continue our lives. It is a favour granted by Allah for us to live comfortably. Imagine if there is no water to do our basic clean up, no water for cooking, and no water to produce our clothes. It will be disastrous. Currently, there are still millions of people that suffer from insufficient water supply, sanitation, and hygiene to live. With droughts that hit the poorest regions, it affects food security and economics. Did you know that one in four people are expected to be affected by severe water shortage by 2050? Here in Malaysia, we are taking things for granted. Malaysians are reported to use double the suggested United Nation daily water consumption which is at 165 liters. Instead, Malaysian uses extra 50,000 litres per person annually.

 

This is a serious matter for us to look at. Aren’t we wasting too much water thinking that it will forever be available for us? Even prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h would never waste water during ablution on a running river.

Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, passed by Sa’d while he was performing ablution. The Prophet said, “What is this extravagance?” Sa’d said, “Is there extravagance with water in ablution?” The Prophet said, “Yes, even if you were on the banks of a flowing river.” (Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 425)

 

Moving forward towards sustainable clean water future, United Nations has made it as one of the sustainable development goal to ensure access of water to water is achievable to all. God has granted us with fresh water supply as an amanah for us to manage. Let’s be part of the goal and start saving water in your own way. Below are three simple tips for a kick start in water saving.

 

1. Use water prudently.

Instead of letting the water go to waste, start taking less shower time, turn off the tap while you are washing your teeth, and washing the plates. Also, fix any leaking pipes at home so the water can be conserved.

 

2. Shrink meat intake and eat your leftovers.

The meat and agriculture sector takes up almost 70% of the world water supply for production sake. Thus, reducing your meat consumption and finishing your plate clean will inevitably help the water saving process.

 

3. Apply water-saving device at home.

There are many water-saving devices we can use, but one I find interesting and cheap to be applied would be the thimble. It can reduce water consumption up to 87%. Penang would be the first state in Malaysia that requires water saving devices (tap fittings, shower fittings, toilet cisterns and urinals), to be installed in all new projects. Penangites can get it free at their nine customer care center at the following link: http://www.pba.com.my/?page_id=3193

Apart from that, do consider rain water harvesting system as it can help you use the water to water your plants and also wash your car without the need to turn on your pipes.

 

And We have sent down rain from the sky in a measured amount and settled it in the earth. And indeed, We are Able to take it away. (Quran 23:18)

 

In short, water is a blessings that we should be concern about. Resources are limited and the demands are increasing with the growing population. Playing your own part will enable the current water supply to be available in a longer term.

 

Save water,

As it won’t last forever,

Only through absence, we know the value of water.