The World Water Day is celebrated globally on March 22nd every year to raise awareness of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene importance. The day highlights the urgency of proper management of a water sector to eradicate the problem about access to safe and reliable drinking water.
The United Nations sets a theme annually to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The theme of World Water Day 2022 is Groundwater. Groundwater or the main liquid freshwater in the world is crucially important since arid areas depend on them.
“There are widespread declines in total water storage and associated freshwater availability that are primarily attributed to the intensive over-extraction of groundwater”.
Moreover, “Several of the world’s main aquifers are under increasing stress and 30% of the largest groundwater systems are being depleted”.
The issue related to improper usage of water found underground in aquifers by wells is heavily burdened due to increased pollution. Groundwater is frequently used for irrigation purposes without measurements and water quality checkups. The quality is threatened by improper sanitation and usage of agricultural pesticides and fertilizers. Groundwater contamination poses a significant health-related risk.
Within Ajara Rural Water and Wastewater Treatment Program, the usage of groundwater as water source is in full compliance with the relevant national and international Environmental and Social Requirements, assessed, based on comprehensive Environmental and Social impact Assessment. Moreover, in the framework of the Program, a comprehensive Water Monitoring System has been established, will be further extended, and will be maintained by the AWA for all Ajara with clear emphasis on all Program area. This also includes groundwater monitoring process in Mukhaestate Settlement and Ochkhamuri.
Creating a modern sanitation system for rural Ajara not only provides families with adequate infrastructure and protects groundwater and ecosystems from contamination.