On World Water Day 2026, themed 'Water and Gender', responsible water management emerges as a global challenge. In Colombia's Huila department, firms like Industria de Harinas Cárnicas del Huila S.A.S. (IHCH) adopt reuse and recirculation practices amid water-rich pressures.
Over 2.2 billion people lack safe drinking water worldwide, and 3.6 billion without proper sanitation, per global figures. The crisis extends beyond scarcity, impacting gender equity as women and girls spend hours fetching water, hindering education and jobs. In urban areas, Wastewater Treatment Plants (PTAR) function as a city's 'kidneys' to filter waste and prevent river and sea pollution. In Huila, vital for pisciculture and the Magdalena River's source, balancing economy and environmental protection is essential. IHCH, headed by Dr. Marta Lucía Garavito, employs an integrated model featuring reuse, recirculation, advanced filtration, rainwater harvesting, and solar energy. These methods foster circular economy, cut water footprint, and manage aquaculture byproducts. The approaches align with Sustainable Development Goals on clean water, sanitation, gender equality, and climate action. The piece calls for technology, environmental education, and public-private partnerships toward sustainability.
