The importance of water conservation is remembered every year during the summer days. The World Water day comes around at the same time. It passes like just another day, without creating any awareness in the public regarding the importance of water conservation and its relevance in the current era. People from all walks of life are suffering from severe heat. Warnings regarding sunstroke are everywhere. Electricity usage in the household has shot up considerably, with 78-80 million units used in the state per day. Kerala’s domestic electricity production is only a quarter of this. The state which receives rain for almost 6 months a year, finds itself with dried up rivers and dams. The run for water started in January when the wells in the high areas dried up. The revelations regarding the underground water are even more shocking. Underground water is at shocking levels at Palakkad, Kasaragod and even Alappuzha. The levels have gone down by 0.75 to 2 meters. Southern districts like Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram have comparatively safer underground water levels.

It has been only eight months since the floods hit Kerala. The fact that even floods couldn’t raise the underground water levels could come as a surprise. However, the experts say that the flood water just flowed to the sea without affecting the underground water levels.

Most of us forget the implications of wasting water. Even when the severity of the heat reaches its peak, we forget that water is a source of life that keeps us alive.

Kerala is running around for drinking water; it’s a weird twist of fate in a state with 44 rivers and several large sources of water. Everybody prefers bottled water over natural water sources. Water bodies have become a place to dump waste. Several such water bodies are on the brink of death due to such human activity. There are laws to punish people that pollute water sources, however, actions are not taken.

There are still three months for the monsoon. Authorities have warned about impending water scarcity. The government is seeking different ways to make water available for the people which includes water from quarries, pending test reports. Steps have to be taken to conserve this water. The authorities should also prevent the exploitation of underground water.