CAIRO - THE effects of water pollution are far-reaching, affecting the environment, human beings and animals.Water pollution affects our oceans, lakes, rivers and drinking water, making it a widespread and global concern. Numerous diseases, health problems and even fatalities have been associated with water pollution. This is why Cornelia Kaufmann, an Austrian photographer and multimedia artist, is trying to raise awareness of the importance of water in different cultures, religions and ages. She also gives attention to water because it is mentioned in all religions. "People treat water with ignorance," Kaufmann says. "I don't understand why human beings constantly pollute water." She adds that there are many causes of water pollution and that everyone has to learn how to make water clean and pure. Farmland that is irrigated and treated with chemicals in the form of fertilisers or pesticides is a major contributor to water pollution. The construction industry is also at fault, for contaminating our water resources with cement, plastics and metals. Rivers and lakes are also polluted by heavy silt or runoff from construction sites. Meanwhile, Nile cruisers are serious polluters. "I was shocked when I saw how polluted the water was at Aswan, while Siwa Oasis is a very beautiful place, but there's plastic everywhere. People throw it in the water, because they don't know how to recycle it. The Government and universities should send people there to educate the Siwis," Kaufmann told The Egyptian Gazette in an interview. She added that every country had to care about its rivers and water, but this was even truer of Egypt, because it only had one river. It is this that has inspired her project, ‘Water Culture and Awareness about Water Resources an international artistic and environmental Workshop', here in Egypt. "Egypt has only one river, the Nile; if the people pollute it, life will cease," she warns. "People should learn how to use it and always keep it clean." Kaufmann wonders how coming generations will be able to live if the water of the river becomes too polluted. In ancient cultures, such as the Egyptian or also the Indian one, knowledge about the importance of respectful water-management, like storage and irrigation, prevailed. Water was, and still is in many contexts, regarded as sacred. Considered the ‘waters of life', the Nile is or used to be venerated,cared for, and protected, in order to ensure the continuity of life, growth and prosperity. "Water was mentioned in all religions, so it is a gift from our God and we have to preserve it," said Kaufmann. "We have to get God's message across that water means life." She urged that greater and greater care must be taken of water. "It is a gift from God for our life; from water everything starts and people should understand its importance." It is vital to stop everything that could affect the river, such as the waste from Nile cruisers and industry. For her, the Nile cruisers aren't for Egyptians but for people coming to Egypt on holiday and they pollute the river. "The river is becoming shallower because of pollution, which means it flows more slowly. We can't build another dam, because, if we do, the Nile will become shorter," she says. Kaufmann believes that people need to be taught about using water and keeping it clean. One idea might be to give them lectures,especially in small villages, but the Government and religious leaders must also work together to prevent pollution. As a photographer, she sees that photos can expedite the necessary awareness, as they show the difference between good and bad in a moment. "It is easier for the people to understand the problem and its solution in photos, rather than in lectures without any visual presentations. Multimedia and advertisements, documentaries, films or even big banners might make it easier for the people to digest this message," Kaufmann added. She said that people misused and wasted water. Nod do they appreciate it, especially in Egypt. Water pollution has a huge impact on our environment and health.The delicate balance between nature and humans can be protected, but it will take efforts on all fronts to prevent and eliminate water pollution locally and globally. "I think it will take at least five years to achieve our aim of protecting water from pollution," she said hopefully. Kaufmann explains that many embassies support her idea and the Minister of Culture is also helping her, by cutting through red tape and with equipment. She hopes that Ministries of Irrigation and Environment will support her too in her project and that she will find sponsorship for her project. "After I've achieved success in Egypt, India will be my next port of call for presenting my project," she added.
