Precious Water

The first phase of a massive national water aqueduct project recently got underway in the eastern province of Holguin.

The long-term project was inaugurated by Cuban President Raul Castro who spoke about how water will become more valuable than nickel or oil in the near future.

Raul’s address caused me to recall some other related events. I began to think of a newspaper interview that the then Egyptian Secretary of State Boutros Ghali gave in 1985, in which he talks about the control of water becoming an ever-growing source of international conflicts.

Since then, many politicians have spoken about the potential conflict involving water in a world characterized by sacking and plundering, and the waste of non-renewable resources. And this has already began. For example, several developed countries have moved their textile industries to poorer cotton producing countries to take advantage of their unregulated water supplies.

We are also preparing for a battle to free water in our country, but not one waged with armies and guns, but with intelligence and common sense. A battle to conserve and protect water and encourage its rational use by promoting public awareness.

Many times I have seen water gushing out onto the streets from pipes that take far too long to repair.

But if we really aspire to instil in every citizen a sense of responsibility related to water, we will have to guarantee a steady supply of small things such as washers for faucets and water floats in cisterns. If not, I fear that the all the efforts to build a modern water supply infrastructure could go to waste.

The time has come for everyone to fully recognize the enormous value of water.