by Shaheen Darr

Created on: November 23, 2008   Last Updated: December 02, 2008

There is a change in the policies and attitudes of some large corporations as they come to terms with the fact that the world water supply is limited and their own actions are contributing even more to the existing problems of global warming. The main aim of corporations should be to ensure that there is sufficient and clean water for poorer countries and accountability for those companies whose activities are causing pollution in these countries.

Coca Cola's pledge at the annual meeting of WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature) held in Beijing in 2007 was not only to reduce the amount of water it uses for its drink production but also to recycle and replenish water that its manufacturing processes use. It's financial pledge of $20 million towards the conservation of freshwater resources is welcoming, albeit late in coming. There are criticisms of its policies in countries like India where local populations have been left with depleted and contaminated water. Diseases like cholera and dysentery caused by drinking this contaminated water nullifies the health benefits that drinking bottled water advocates.

Shell Oil Company was sued by Coweta County for using polybutylene water pipes that have caused water leakages and drought in the area. This has led to the company not using this resin again though there is continued criticism for its policies in other countries.

Water Aid is a charitable organisation that is actively involved in providing clean water to the poorest regions in the world. It partners with local governments and provides low cost technology that is easy to use and maintain by the community itself. It has completed safe drinking water projects in countries like Uganda and India.

Global water has several projects in Guatemala and Nicaragua run by volunteers with the help of non governmental organisations (NGOs). It provides water using wells and simple rain catchment schemes for local hospitals and schools. Global water's provides technical support, spare parts and training and has completed projects in countries like Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, Somalia and South Africa.

EU water policies include an EU water initiative (EUWI) and an ACP-EU water facility to help African; Caribbean and Pacific countries have access to clean and hygienic water. It has done this by providing financial aid for research required for water projects in these countries and for ethical channeling and management of these funds through sound government policies.

There has to be a change in the policies of industrial countries as this will prove beneficial not only to the poorer nations but also to the welfare of our entire planet. Rich countries should not let the poorer nations pick up the pieces left by their own industrial growth. According to Oxfam there is not enough financial aid coming from the rich countries to help the poorer countries face their looming water shortage problems. The key is setting up an international fund to finance water projects in developing countries and providing technical and training facilities to the local work force which are self sustainable.

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