World water Day 2014
3/21/2014
Grave predictions have already been made by environmental activists that mankind may take arms and resort to violence for the sake of ‘water’ in the not so distant future. Though preposterous as it may sound, such a prediction may yet materialize, if the world fails to invest extra effort and start working tirelessly towards water preservation.
Even 71% of the earth’s surface is made up of water, 97% of the planet’s water is found in seas and oceans, which leaves only a meagre amount of 3% as fresh water. From that 3% of fresh water, only a minuscule amount of 1% could be accessible and used for consumption and our routine needs.
SriLankan Airlines understands this grave predicament, and as the national carrier believes that we should stand up and lead by example in creating a sustainable path to water management. To mark the World Water Day 2014, SriLankan Airlines properties & Logistics organized a special Water Day event that highlighted the importance of this priceless, yet depleting resource. The programme enlightened the attendees on how we should focus on preserving water.
Through the dedicated in-house water production mechanism and water treatment plant, SriLankan Airlines aimed to reduce the cost of water generation while also reducing the wastage. The in-house production cost of water unit for SriLankan Airlines in 2014 is only Rs. 32 per unit when compared to Rs. 75 per unit that is charged by National Water Supply and Drainage Board. Through this, the Company is able to save a staggering Rs. 8.63 million per year. SriLankan is also able to save an annual sum of Rs. 2.4 million through the distribution of treated water via Pure-it Water Filters in the SriLankan premises.
Seeking novel ways to solve the conundrum, SriLankan Airlines also introduced the unique ‘Drip Irrigation System’ at the Water Day event, which aimed at watering plants with minimum water wastage.
Taking the extra leap to save every drop of water, SriLankan has also introduced self-closing taps for washrooms and has fitted taps and shower heads with flow restrictors. Believing that not a single drop should go to waste without utilizing it to the full, SriLankan also performs rain water harvesting and takes extra measures to monitor and analyze water consumption.