The text discusses how life-sustaining water transformed from gaseous to liquid form during Earth’s formative years. This process forms oceans and enables the emergence of life. It is a universal solvent vital for transporting nutrients in living organisms and maintaining cellular structure. Highlighting the limited availability of fresh water, it notes that only one per cent is accessible for human use. This scarcity underscores the importance of conservation. Initiatives like World Water Day and government schemes aim to solve water management. They focus on accessibility challenges. These initiatives highlight the need for sustainable practices.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Water is essential for life, formed from gases during Earth’s cooling process, leading to oceans and the emergence of life.
- Only 1% of freshwater is available for human use, stressing the need for conservation initiatives like World Water Day.
- The hydrological cycle replenishes freshwater through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, underscoring its limited supply.
- The government aim to improve water access through initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission. The goal is to supply tap water in every home.
- To reduce water footprint, individuals can implement conservation practices like fixing leaks, recycling, and using less water-intensive products.
Introduction
Sitting on his small balcony, he happily observed a potted plant. Initially, the plant seemed weak, but persistent care kept it alive. Regular watering of the plant made a noticeable difference. Water rejuvenated the plant. Over time, the plant flourished, becoming vibrant and full of flowers. Its branches swayed in the pleasantly cool breeze. “This is a great example. Water is fundamental in an organism’s life,” he said to himself. He gazed at the plant with appreciation.
indispensable
Water is indispensable for life. It is impossible to think of life without it, as it helps run the life process.
(1) a compound
Scientifically, water is a compound. It consists of two atoms of Hydrogen and one atom of Oxygen, written as H2O. In its purest form, it is colourless, odourless, and tasteless. Nevertheless, in its natural condition, it has a peculiar taste because of the dissolved minerals in it.
(2) The arrival
Water came soon after the earth born. Nevertheless, the scientific community is still not sure when it arrived on Earth. It is postulated that water appeared on Earth 4 billion years ago. This was a little after the Earth came into being.
(3) The begining
In the beginning, Earth was a large, fiery, dense mass, often bombarded by heavy meteoroids and asteroids. Layers of broiling gases enveloped it. The intense heat caused gases like hydrogen and oxygen to react, forming water. Initially, it existed in vapour form, but as the Earth cooled, vapours condensed to become liquid.
(4) Oceans formed
The cooling of the Earth and gases caused torrential rains that lasted for a long, very long time. It continued for thousands of years, filling the ditches, canyons, and gorges. Oceans and seas thus formed. It was here that the first life appeared.
Cataclysm
In antediluvian scriptures, the origin of life is variously described. Primogenitors say that life appeared from the water. The concept of “Pralay” (cataclysm) narrates the destruction by mass inundation. This occurs due to excessive torrential rain, followed by the emergence of life. Scriptures say that a huge fish (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) warned Manu of an impending great flood. The fish advised him to construct a vessel and save himself, his family and others. Similarly, in the story “Noah’s Ark”, God instructed Noah to make a huge boat. This was to save himself and others from the impending great flood. The common thing between the two is ubiquitous water, a huge boat and the emergence of life from it.
(1) Life originated
The common thing is the continuity of life and the essentiality of water, where life originated. Since antediluvian it has played a vital role in creating and evolving life. Water is essential for life and serves as a home to many animals and plants. Aquatic organisms are the groups that dwell in it.
Five basic elements
In the Indian thought process, every organism consists of a combination of five basic elements. These are earth, fire, air, water, and space. In Roman civilisation, the five essential elements were Tera, Aqua, Ignis, Ventus, and Aether. In Greek, they are Ge (Earth), Hydor (Water), Aeros (Air), Pyro (Fire), and Aether.
Vital for life
Evidently, the importance of water in shaping and maintaining an organism is unquestionable and inevitable. It is vital in the lives of organisms in several ways.
(1) Universal solvent
Water is a universal solvent. It means that it can dissolve most of the substances. This characteristic is essential for transporting nutrients and essential minerals throughout an organism’s body. In plants, roots absorb the dissolved nutrients and distribute them to every part of the plant. In animals, too, it is responsible for gaseous exchange and transporting nutrients to various parts of the body.
(2) Turgidity of cells
Water maintains the pressure on the cell wall of an organism. Cells are the building blocks of an organism and are its unit. The aqueous pressure or turgor pressure causes many physiological processes to happen that propel life to move.
Fresh water is scanty
As mentioned before, torrential rains lasted many years. They filled the ditches, canyons, and valleys, giving rise to the huge oceans and seas. Seventy-one per cent of the Earth is covered with water. Only about 26 per cent is terra firma. Out of the 71 per cent existing on earth, about 97 per cent is in oceans and seas. Thus, only three per cent is fresh water.
(1) Only 1% is available
It is noteworthy that a large part of freshwater is not freely available. Of the three per cent of freshwater found on Earth, two per cent is locked in glaciers. It is also trapped as groundwater, in creeks and faults of rocks. Thus, only one per cent is available as surface freshwater found in lakes, rivers, permafrost et cetera.
(2) Hydrological cycle
Although a large area of the Earth is underwater, only a small fraction forms freshwater. The question is: where does this freshwater come from? This freshwater is made available through a natural process known as the water-cycle, or hydrological cycle. This cyclical process goes through various stages, ultimately leading to the replenishment in liquid form.
(3) Stages of the cycle
Surface evaporation from oceans, rivers, lakes et cetera is the main source of vapour. Plants release vapour through a process called transpiration. The blended vapour condenses to form clouds, which eventually precipitate in the form of rain. This rainwater flows as runoff, merging with rivers and streams or filling lakes and ponds. Some of it percolates into the ground and collects in aquifers as groundwater. The water cycle, aka the hydrological cycle, thus involves the following steps:
- Evaporation –
- Evaporation of water from rivers, lakes and ponds. Water vapour resulting from transpiration from plants also added to it
- Condensation –
- Water vapours condensed into droplets and clouds
- Precipitation –
- Raining
- Runoff
- Infiltration
The cycle goes on ad nauseam, recharging water bodies and aquifers.
Judicious use is imperative
It is clear from the discussion that suitable water for consumption is scarce. This is true vis-à-vis its large presence. Terrestrial living organisms, particularly human beings, face this scarcity. It is, hence, imperative that water be used wisely. It needs to be ensured too that people facing its scarcity have an adequate supply. To raise awareness about the issue, World Water Day started in 1993. It is annually observed on March 22.
(1) Per drop more crop
Agriculture is an important sector as it provides food, but it is water-intensive. Broadly, it accounts for 89 per cent of total use in India. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, launched the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). This was done for its effective use. Drip irrigation, sprinklers et cetera are used to maximise the advantage of crop irrigation. A fertigation technique is also used. Crops are irrigated with dissolved nutrients using the drip technique to fulfil the goal of “Per Drop More Crop.”
UN-water
UN-Water on its website says, “Billions of people are still living without safely managed water and sanitation. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 is to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030. Achieving SDG 6 is integral to the success of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which aims to end extreme poverty and protect the planet.” (UN Water)
(1) The government’s effort
People in remote areas still live without potable drinking water and sanitation. The government is doing its best to combat the problem. People, especially womenfolk in remote areas, fetch it from sources miles away from their residences. The government has launched a scheme. It is called “Har Ghar Nal Se Jal” (Water in every home through tap). It is part of the Jal Jeevan Mission. The scheme provides every household with a Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC). The scheme also focuses on water management, its conservation and rainwater harvesting.
Water foot-print
In the commercialised World, water consumption has increased. This leads to a high water footprint. Professor Arjen Hoekstra of the Netherlands introduced this concept in 2002. It refers to the amount of freshwater used in the production. This includes the process and packaging of the product before it reaches the end user. Sweetmeat production, for example, has a fairly high water footprint. The sugarcane crop uses more water in a field. The sugar factories use it excessively to produce sugar, and finally, a Sweetmeat seller, preparing sweets. Joined together, they result in a higher water footprint. Agro-industries are high in water usage.
(1) Steps to reduce footprint
One can reduce the water footprint in one’s life by observing small but important things. It can be any, a few or all of the following:-
- Turning the water tap off after its use.
- Do not waste water.
- Make sure not to waste any food.
- Switch off electricity when not using it.
- Use less water-intensive products.
- Make an effort to recycle and reuse.
- The most important step is to stop polluting rivers, lakes, and ponds.
Summing up
Water is precious. It is life. Its conservation and judicious use are the answer to many questions. Its scarcity leads to resentment because of its sheer essentiality. Former Prime Minister of India, late Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee while addressing a scientific community had said:
“India is amongst the wettest countries in the world, yet desert-like conditions are now prevalent in many parts of the country. We are fast plunging into a water emergency era”
Saving water is saving life. Every drop is precious. It should not be wasted. International Water Day is a reminder.
Further reads:
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Kamal Kishore Srivastava
A retired government officer turned writer and photographer, Kamal Kishore Srivastava is a regular blogger and essayist who explores life’s deeper meanings through immersive reflections on nature, impermanence, and happiness. On his blog Nature’s Narrative, he blends philosophical storytelling with practical insights. Writing 1,200–1,500 words or more regularly, Kamal is committed to refining his craft, expanding his audience, and building a sustainable space where thought and feeling intersect.
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