Report of the Contemporary Issues in Management

¶ … Water Management

Contemporary Issue in Management

One of the most important and essential things needed for the healthy maintenance and socio-economic development of the world's ecosystems is water. Proper management of water resources play an important role in reducing poverty and promoting a better livelihood in the community. The life of almost everyone, young or old, rich or poor, is closely associated with water in some way or another. However, the increasing rates of urbanization in the past few years have also resulted in an increase in demand of clean drinking water. This seems problematic because it is now putting quite a stress on the available water resources. Population estimates show that the planet's population is likely to shoot upto 8 billion by the year 2030 and it would be impossible to feed them all if issues regarding water management are not resolved (Pietersen & Beekman). Moreover, at the rate at which the world's economy is currently growing, energy demands are very likely to be raised in the upcoming years and without proper water management methods, the fate of hydroelectric energy would evidently be troublesome (Pietersen & Beekman). Hence, it is very crucial at this stage to manage the existing water resources of the world properly.

To resolve an issue, one must first identify where the root cause actually lies. Problems in water management have been arising greatly due to unorganized schemes of urbanisation and industrialisation. Natural water reserves are constantly being threatened with the increased construction of infrastructure such as roads, bridges and railways ("Water management -,"). The rapid industrialisation and the pursuit of a better economy with good infrastructure have further boasted the demand for water. Industries have become the major consumer of water. Water is thought to be the best industrial solvent. The processes such as tanning, dying and the overall mixing of chemicals would be impossible without water. But due to improper ways of discharging waste products, these hazardous solutions are usually released directly into the water bodies, thus leading to an increasing shortage of drinking water (Pietersen & Beekman). Also, due to the vast increase in the population of the world, the amount of waste has also increased many folds. This waste is a constituent of toxic, chemical and non-bio-degradable waste that cannot be easily decomposed ("Water management -,"). Thus, whenever it rains, the water takes up these chemicals, sweeps through the ground and contaminates the underground water reservoirs.

Water is our need. It is necessary for the sustainability of life on earth. But due to excessive growth in population, the world's economy and pollution the world is approaching on the verge of war; a war that would be fought for water. So, what is the solution, for stopping the whole socio- economic system from collapsing? The first step should be the inculcation of awareness amongst people about the possible water crisis, which is destined to hit the world in the near future and the productive measures which can help to avert the crisis ("Water management -,"). The second step is to bring a revolution in our reforms, pertaining to water management. Radical steps would have to be taken to put a curb on toxic waste being discharged into water bodies and new breed of harmless or less harmful chemicals have to be introduced, that will be destined to save the water from being contaminated. The third step is to put a limit on the population growth, especially in the developing countries ("Water management -,"). This will not only increase the number of litres of available water per person but will also help to relieve the Mother Earth from bearing the brunt of feeding a much larger inhabitants, thus evading the food crisis.