No one can deny it is impossible to overemphasize the importance of water, which is a powerful and indispensable resource for all organic beings.

Climate and water resources have a significant impact on mankind not only for its biological existence but also for socio-economic development.

As climate events such as tornadoes, thunderstorms, storms, cyclones, floods and drought, which account for some three quarters of all disasters, weather and water resources influence every nook and corner of human society.

For the past 10 years, more than 90 percent of deaths from natural disasters were caused by water-related catastrophes, according to the Korea Water Resources Corporation (KOWACO). Moreover, sufferers from water-related climate events have more than doubled since 1996.

Damages by water and climate disasters equaled 1.3 trillion won for the last decade, surpassing damages by traffic accidents or fires.

But the nation will face different kind of water disaster by 2011 _ a shortage in water supply. The rest of the world is also countering the same problem.

The United Nations (UN) has warned that a water crisis is looming, and predicted that by 2010 the crisis could develop into conflicts or wars in regions like the Middle East where the shortage is already serious. It is estimated that 1.4 billion cubic kilometers of water on the globe, of which only 2.5 percent is in a form of fresh water.

In recognition of the situation, the U.N. established the World Water Day, falling on Mar. 22 each year, to address the problems relating to drinking water supply and to increase public awareness on the importance of conservation, preservation, and the protection of water resources and drinking water supply. This world day for water was to be observed starting in 1993.

South Korea is not an exception from the water supply problems. Even with a variety of programs to procure and save water resources, the nation is forecast to have some 1.2 billion cubic meters of water in short by 2011, according to KOWACO.

Korea, based on a report by the Population Action International, is a water stressed nation along with Zimbabwe, Denmark, Lebanon, Somalia and Poland, whose water supply is considered insufficient with per capita usable water supply between 1,000 cubic meters and 1,700 cubic meters.

Although Korea’s average annual precipitation is 1,283 millimeters, some 1.3 times larger than the world’s average, per capita annual precipitation is 2,705 cubic meters equaling 12 percent of the global average.

Korea’s geographical and climatic features _ rivers with steep underwater slopes and extreme disparity in rainfalls according to regions, years and seasons _ have been disadvantageous in managing water resources and preventing climatic disasters.

What makes matters worse is that, while the growing world population must meet its needs with a finite amount of water, usable supplies are being reduced by pollution from industries and sewage, waste seeping through leaking pipes and human greed.

Despite the level of seriousness of the situation, the level of our consciousness on the need for water conservation remains low. Many people here still consider water as something that is permissible to waste since it is so plentiful. That is why extravagant people are said to spend money ``like water.'' Our traditional and basic notions about water have not changed a lot.

This is a partially responsible to water use habit in the nation, which aggravated water resource preservation. Korea’s per-capita rate of water consumption, which stood at 362 liters in 2002, is higher than Japan’s 357 liters, Britain’s 323 liters and France’s 281 liters, while it is less than Italy’s 383 liters, Canada’s 497 liters and Australia’s 480 liters, according to KOWACO.

Waste in water consumption is attributed to the water prices in Korea, which are relatively cheap compared to other products or prices at other countries.

Fortunately, per capita daily tap water supply has decreased since it peaked in 1997 with 409 liters. According to the report, per capita use of water averaged to 395 liters per person per day in 1998, 388 liters per person per day in 1999 and 380 liters per person per day in 2001.

Thus, the focus of water policy should be on conservation and adequate management of existing resources, which will both secure the supply and prevent climatic disasters.

Promotion on conservation has already proved to be the best means of fighting water shortages in other countries, which crucially requires people's voluntary participation for success in this regard. Water thrift campaigns, which are a more adequate way of fighting the shortage than building new dams, will get Koreans accustomed to water conservation.

KOWACO said it is necessary to develop subterranean water. The nation is utilizing 3.5 billion cubic meters of underground water, which equals to some 30 percent of the usable amount.

The government is making efforts to prevent underground water pollution, while devising eco-friendly measures for water resources development.