According to the United Nations Development Program, more than one billion people, or about one in six worldwide, do not have safe drinking water, and more than two billion lack access to adequate sanitation.
p>According to the United Nations Development Program, more than one billion people, or about one in six worldwide, do not have safe drinking water, and more than two billion lack access to adequate sanitation.
If current water usage trends continue, by the year 2025 two-thirds of the world’s population won’t have enough clean water. Heiner Markhoff, president and CEO—Water & Process Technologies, GE Power & Water, urged the adoption of fiscal and policy incentives to drive greater water reuse.
“With supportive frameworks in place, we can make great progress in creating a global society that adheres to and promotes water reuse,” he said.
The water treatment and reuse technology exists today to help address this global challenge. Unfortunately, the motivation to employ these technology solutions often doesn’t. In the United States, for example, it is often less expensive to withdraw water from a river or a well than to treat it and reuse it.
“Industry leaders, educators and policymakers worldwide need to work together, proactively tackling the policies, technology developments and fiscal issues needed to ensure an adequate supply of clean water for the future,” Markhoff said.
