Around 60–70% of the human body is made up of water. Its role goes far beyond quenching our thirst—it is essential for keeping our bodies functioning properly, from supporting cell renewal and maintaining healthy tissues and organs to regulating countless biological processes.

In everyday life, water is equally indispensable. We use it for cooking, bathing, washing clothes and dishes, cleaning our homes, and watering plants.

Nearly every aspect of human life depends on water. Yet despite its importance, water is not an unlimited resource. As demand continues to rise, we are increasingly confronted with challenges such as water scarcity, drought, and the growing pollution of freshwater sources.

Ironically, because water is always around us, many people take it for granted. Leaving taps running, using excessive amounts of water, or polluting waterways through household waste often happens without much thought.

Meanwhile, in many parts of the world—including some regions of Indonesia—people still have to walk long distances just to obtain clean water.

Considering how essential water is to our lives, have we truly been treating it with the care it deserves?

Indonesia Is Rich in Water, But That Doesn’t Mean Everyone Has Access

As an equatorial country, Indonesia is blessed with abundant rainfall and significant freshwater resources. The country’s renewable freshwater reserves are estimated at around 2 billion cubic meters annually, complemented by an average annual rainfall of approximately 2,500 millimeters.

These figures suggest that Indonesia has an abundant supply of water and should, in theory, be able to meet the daily needs of its people. However, the real challenge lies not only in the quantity of water available but also in its distribution and quality. Not everyone has equal access to safe and clean water.

In many regions, access to clean water remains uneven. At the same time, numerous rivers and other water sources are increasingly polluted by household waste, industrial discharge, and improperly managed garbage.

One striking example is the condition of Indonesia’s rivers. Approximately 70% of the country’s rivers are polluted, reducing water quality to the point where it is no longer safe for drinking or many other uses.

As a result, millions of Indonesians continue to face difficulties accessing safe drinking water. Around 28 million peoplestill lack reliable access to clean and safe drinking water, while water demand from households, agriculture, industry, and food production continues to grow.

This shows that having abundant water resources does not necessarily guarantee universal access to clean water. Protecting water, therefore, requires more than relying on nature alone—it calls for collective action to reduce pollution and use water more responsibly.

Caring for Water Starts at Home

The solution does not rest solely on major policies or large-scale infrastructure. As young people, we can begin caring for water through simple actions at home that make a meaningful difference.

First, gradually reduce meat consumption. Meat production requires enormous amounts of water. Producing one kilogram of beef requires approximately 15,400 liters of water, while one kilogram of chicken requires around 4,325 liters.

In comparison, plant-based protein sources such as tempeh and tofu require significantly less water. Producing one kilogram of tempeh uses only about 22 liters of water, while tofu requires approximately 15.84 liters. Adopting habits such as Meatless Monday can therefore become a simple yet impactful way to help conserve water.

Second, choose local and seasonal vegetables that require less water, such as spinach, water spinach (kangkung), and okra. These crops tend to be more resilient in hot weather and have relatively short growing cycles, making them well suited to increasingly unpredictable climate conditions.

Choosing locally grown produce not only helps reduce pressure on water resources but also supports local farmers and strengthens regional food systems.

Third, reduce the number of cooking utensils you use. Preparing multiple dishes with the same pan or pot can reduce the amount of water needed for washing afterward.

The more kitchenware we use, the more water is required to clean it. Although this may seem like a small habit, practicing it consistently can contribute to meaningful water savings over time.

Fourth, reuse rice-washing water or vegetable-rinsing water to nourish household plants. Simply use the leftover water to irrigate your garden or potted plants.

Rice-washing water contains carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that can benefit plant growth while helping maintain healthy soil. Besides conserving water, this habit also reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers and gives kitchen wastewater a second life.

Protecting water does not always require sophisticated technology or sweeping policy changes. Small actions taken consistently at home can have a lasting impact.

Using only the water we need, reducing food waste, reusing rice-washing water for plants, choosing locally produced foods, and enjoying more plant-based meals throughout the week are all simple steps that anyone can take.

Ultimately, caring for water is not only about how we use the tap at home—it is also about the choices we make at the dining table.

Every meal we choose helps shape the future of the world’s water resources.

Perhaps one of the simplest ways to begin protecting them is by making more room for locally grown plant-based foods on our plates.

References

National Water Resources Council. (2025). Assessing Indonesia’s Water Security Index with the Center for Hydrology and Water Environment. https://www.dsdan.go.id/dewan-sumber-daya-air-dan-tim-sekretariat-dewan-sumber-daya-air-nasional-mengkaji-indeks-ketahanan-air-bersama-balai-hidrologi-dan-lingkungan-keairan.html

DW. (2015). Water and Food. https://www.dw.com/id/air-dan-bahan-pangan/g-18397894

Gulo, H., Waruwu, T., & Zega, N. A. (2024). The Potential of Rice-Washing Water for Cultivated Plant Growth. JIIP, 7(8).

Jaya, J. D., Ariyani, L., & Hadijah. (2018). Cleaner Production Planning in the Tofu Processing Industry at UD Sumber Urip Pelaihari. Jurnal Agroindustri, 8(2), 105–112.

Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. (2025). Drink Water for Better Health.https://kms.kemkes.go.id/pengetahuan/detail/67d2662c3854e53bdd34029c

Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Indonesia. (2025). Minister of Environment: Clean Rivers Are the Key to Our Future. https://kemenlh.go.id/news/detail/menteri-lh-sungai-bersih-kunci-masa-depan

Ministry of Public Works. (2025). Twenty-Eight Million Indonesians Still Lack Access to Clean Water; Human Resource Development Strengthened Through ITB Master’s Program. https://bpsdm.pu.go.id/v2/bacaberita/28-juta-warga-belum-terlayani-air-bersih-bpsdm-dorong-penguatan-sdm-lewat-program-magister-super-spesialis-di-itb-

Salim, M. P. (2026). Nine Water-Efficient Vegetable Crops That Still Produce High Yields.https://www.liputan6.com/hot/read/6334268/9-tanaman-sayur-hemat-air-yang-tetap-bisa-panen-maksimal-solusi-berkebun-di-musim-kemarau