UNESCO today advocated responsible and sustainable management of groundwater, which accounts for 99 percent of all freshwater reserves on the planet.
Paris. This natural resource is often misunderstood and therefore undervalued or the target of mismanagement and even abuse, the organization warned after publishing a report ahead of tomorrow’s celebration of World Water Day.
According to the multilateral institution, the immense potential of groundwater and the need to manage it sustainably can no longer be overlooked in the international community.
The report, entitled “Groundwater… Making the invisible visible” seeks to draw attention to this precious resource, which is key to being able to adequately and effectively respond to current and future crises involving this precious water.
In this sense, UNESCO called on States to implement management and governance strategies in the face of a global challenge that cannot be postponed.
Global water consumption is expected to increase by 1 percent annually over the next three decades, triggering dependence on groundwater, he stressed.
The United Nations agency specializing in scientific, educational and cultural issues stressed that these bodies of water currently account for half of the volume used by the earth’s population for domestic purposes.
For UNESCO DirectorGeneral Audrey Azoulay, there is an urgent need for smarter management of the precious resource she describes as underexploited.
We must therefore protect groundwater from pollution, mismanagement and waste to benefit a world population that is ever expanding and to help us tackle the climate and energy crises, he urged.
Regarding the call, UNESCO stressed that these waters are of generally satisfactory quality, so they can be used safely and at a reasonable cost, as they do not require advanced treatment.
They are often the cheapest way to supply cities with water, he stressed.
He also called on the world community to collect data on groundwater, strengthen environmental regulations to protect it and strengthen the human, material and financial resources associated with its management.