Faced with the growing challenges linked to water in the world, the Indian Ocean basin and Reunion, this vital resource is undeniably threatened by climate change. The Regional Union of Liberal Doctors of Reunion Island (URML-OI) dedicated, this November 23, 2024, to Stella Matutina, a conference on the theme “The water challenge: issues, perspectives, impacts on our health”.
Local and national experts highlighted the health impacts of unequal water management, while recalling that it remains generally of good quality in Reunion. They also insisted on the need to adopt responsible behavior and modernize infrastructure to preserve this essential resource in the face of climatic and social pressures.
The Regional Union of Liberal Doctors of Reunion Island (URML-OI) organized a conference bringing together experts and local stakeholders to address a fundamental issue: water, a vital resource essential to our health, in a context of increasing climatic pressures.
Water: an apparent wealth, a crucial challenge. Although the water we consume on Reunion Island is generally of good quality, the conference highlighted the major challenges facing the island. Recurring cuts and complex management of this crucial resource highlight the need for a concerted and sustainable approach. Experts – climatologists, hydrologists, doctors and researchers – analyzed the impacts of water on our health and the environmental risks linked to climate change.
“It is quite interesting to note that multiple actors have water competence. It is necessary to carry out a global and general reflection on its preservation and quality,” introduced Dr. Christine Kowalczyck, president of URMLOI.
According to the Regional Health Agency (ARS), more than 20% of the population of Reunion remains exposed to water of irregular quality. Thanks to initiatives such as the Eaudurobinet.re site, residents can now monitor water quality in real time. However, to guarantee equitable access to healthy drinking water, the second Drinking Water Action Plan is being developed.
Experts' forecasts are clear: climate change will amplify tensions on water resources. Although precipitation may increase, drier soils and the intensity of gullies will limit catchment capacity.
Without an immediate change in behavior, the island could face a shortage of drinking water by 2035. It is indeed imperative to reduce water consumption, which is currently 215 liters per day per person. in Reunion, (compared to 140 liters in mainland France) and to adopt more economical practices.
“Habits die hard, that’s for sure. But it would be a shame to wait to be prevented by lack of resources. You don't have to wait.”, explained Dr. Geoffray Rambaud, Vice-President of URMLOI.
Impossible to dedicate a day to water without mentioning the quality of the water available in Reunion. Although analyzes carried out by the ARS do not show traces of drugs in drinking water, pollutants such as PFAS, known as “eternal pollutants”, require increased vigilance.
A study carried out by URMLOI on the quality of bottled water shows that we can be reassured by the feedback from these analyzes but that vigilance is required.
The water in Reunion is healthier than some metropolitan areas with reasonable levels of plastic microparticles. However, there are still traces of plastic microparticles and it is essential to monitor its consumption.
It is, for example, important to favor spring water in glass bottles, and metal bottles and above all not to leave the bottles in direct sunlight because the heat fragments the microparticles which become even smaller but which are still present and even more harmful to the human body.
Water-related diseases, such as leptospirosis, are increasingly present and their incidence could increase with global warming.
Of course, if the findings are essential to raise awareness and raise awareness, it is just as essential to address the courses of action to be adopted to counter these aspects:
• The modernization of hydraulic infrastructure must be a priority in Reunion Island to reduce losses and improve distribution because today nearly 40% of the water captured does not reach the consumer but is lost on the network.
• Public awareness and education to adopt is urgent in order to change habits and behave responsibly.
• The development of innovative solutions must be essential, in particular the collection of rainwater and the use of water-saving technologies.
• The promotion of good practices is essential, such as favoring spring water in glass bottles, avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun of plastic bottles, and regularly changing the filters of domestic equipment.
Of course, “protecting water is protecting life” must become everyone’s motto, in Reunion as well as everywhere around the planet.
Water, a vital element, requires concerted management involving all stakeholders – institutions, citizens, scientists and health professionals. Together, we must act to preserve this essential resource, for the benefit of future generations.
Related News :