Inside today’s Compass you will find a feature on the Water Authority of the Cayman Islands in celebration of its 25th anniversary.
We in Cayman live on islands, so water is around us at all times.
For most of us, getting good, potable water is as simple as turning on a spigot or faucet.
Water – it’s around us, in us and taken for granted on a daily basis.
Many of us who were here after Hurricane Ivan made its presence known in 2004 well remember life without water for a short while.
It was most unpleasant.
Thanks to the Water Authority, supplies were quickly restored.
But there are people in this world who are in desperate need of water.
It is essential for all life on this planet.
As humans our bodies consist of about 75 per cent water; the brain about 85 per cent. Each and every cell in our bodies depends on water to properly function.
Without any water at all, we would die within three to seven days.
Water can carry diseases such as cholera, typhoid, malaria, botulism, polio, dysentery, giardia and hepatitis, so we are fortunate in the Cayman Islands to have a source of fresh water that is clean and safe to drink.
Did you know that drinking five glasses of water a day decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45 per cent, breast cancer by 79 per cent and bladder cancer by 50 per cent?
A lack of water can cause dehydration causing people to display symptoms of irritability, fatigue, nervousness, dizziness, weakness and headaches.
In many religions water cleanses the soul.
It is our lifeline that bathes and feeds us.
Water is always in motion, evaporating into the atmosphere from oceans, lakes, rivers and streams and then returns to us in the form of rain here in the Cayman Islands; snow, hail or sleet in colder climes.
Although water covers more than 70 per cent of the Earth, only about 1 per cent is available as a source for drinking.
But daily humans continue to contaminate water sources.
One of the mandates or the Water Authority of the Cayman Islands is to keep our groundwater safe. It is everybody’s responsibility to be good stewards of the environment and to prevent pollution of our groundwater.
If you change the oil in your car, don’t throw it on the ground. Take it to the landfill for recycling.
If you use pesticides, make sure you don’t over do it and follow label instructions to dispose of any leftovers. Don’t throw your trash on the ground; make sure all your waste goes to the landfill.
We owe it to our future generations to keep water in Cayman safe and clean.
To the Water Authority and those in government who saw the importance of clean, safe water 25 years ago, thank you.
One of the mandates or the Water Authority of the Cayman Islands is to keep our groundwater safe. It is everybody’s responsibility to be good stewards of the environment and to prevent pollution of our groundwater.
Related Videos
