By Theodora Filis
A new government study has recently been launched to measure the exact amount of water available in the United States. Steve Solomon, author of the new book “Water: The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power, and Civilization” claims, “Water is overtaking oil as our scarcest natural resource in the world…” Experts agree, demand is greater than supply, and 36 States face water shortages in the next three years.
Everyday Arizona and parts of New Mexico use 300 million gallons of water. Americans are the world’s biggest water consumers. By 9am, after showering, using the bathroom, brushing our teeth and having a cup of coffee, each of us typically has used more than 30 gallons of water. After doing the dishes (12 gallons per load), watering the lawn (10 gallons per minute), running the washing machine (43 gallons per load), by the time we go to bed, we've used up to 150 gallons of water.
By comparison, people in the UK use a quarter of that (40 gallons of water per day). The Chinese average just 22 gallons per day. And in the poorest countries like Kenya, people use less than the minimum 13 gallons to cover basic needs.
The focus of World Water Day 2010: Clean Water for a Healthy World: Every year, 1,500 cubic kilometers of wastewater are produced globally. While waste and wastewater can be reused productively for energy and irrigation, it usually is not. In developing countries, 80 percent of all waste is being discharged untreated, because of lack of regulations and resources. And population and industrial growth add new sources of pollution and increased demand for clean water to the equation. Human and environmental health, drinking and agricultural water supplies for the present and future are at stake, still, water pollution rarely warrants mention as a pressing issue.
According to the New Global Water Security Index, 10 countries worldwide, including 5 African nations are at “extreme risk” because of limited access to clean, fresh water. The effects of climate change and population growth will exacerbate the stress on these water supplies, potentially threatening stability in many regions. Among the nations most at risk are Somalia, Mauritania, Sudan, Niger, and Iraq. Other nations at extreme risk including Pakistan, Egypt and Uzbekistan are already facing internal and boarder tensions because of limited water supplies.
Water conservation plans serve to establish policies and procedures for statewide conservation programs throughout the United States. Long-term goals include addressing both potable and non-potable water demands, identifying practical water conservation measures, and developing implementation schedules and budgets for applications of appropriate water conservation measures.
On the Vegas strip, they are taking water conservation to new heights. City Center is the perfect example, $8 billion of environmentally-friendly luxury including low-flow water fixtures, slashing water use by more than 100 million gallons a year.
Patricia Mulroy, oversees the operations of the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Las Vegas Valley Water District. The Water Authority is responsible for acquiring, treating and delivering water to local agencies that collectively served 2 million residents and 40 million annual visitors. Between 2002-2008 more than 400,000 more people moved in, but water consumption dropped by 20 billion gallons. “Everyone has a piece of the responsibility” Mulroy said.
Other regions are trying different solutions, but water experts agree: Conservation is American’s best hope.
Everyday Arizona and parts of New Mexico use 300 million gallons of water. Americans are the world’s biggest water consumers. By 9am, after showering, using the bathroom, brushing our teeth and having a cup of coffee, each of us typically has used more than 30 gallons of water. After doing the dishes (12 gallons per load), watering the lawn (10 gallons per minute), running the washing machine (43 gallons per load), by the time we go to bed, we've used up to 150 gallons of water.
By comparison, people in the UK use a quarter of that (40 gallons of water per day). The Chinese average just 22 gallons per day. And in the poorest countries like Kenya, people use less than the minimum 13 gallons to cover basic needs.
The focus of World Water Day 2010: Clean Water for a Healthy World: Every year, 1,500 cubic kilometers of wastewater are produced globally. While waste and wastewater can be reused productively for energy and irrigation, it usually is not. In developing countries, 80 percent of all waste is being discharged untreated, because of lack of regulations and resources. And population and industrial growth add new sources of pollution and increased demand for clean water to the equation. Human and environmental health, drinking and agricultural water supplies for the present and future are at stake, still, water pollution rarely warrants mention as a pressing issue.
According to the New Global Water Security Index, 10 countries worldwide, including 5 African nations are at “extreme risk” because of limited access to clean, fresh water. The effects of climate change and population growth will exacerbate the stress on these water supplies, potentially threatening stability in many regions. Among the nations most at risk are Somalia, Mauritania, Sudan, Niger, and Iraq. Other nations at extreme risk including Pakistan, Egypt and Uzbekistan are already facing internal and boarder tensions because of limited water supplies.
Water conservation plans serve to establish policies and procedures for statewide conservation programs throughout the United States. Long-term goals include addressing both potable and non-potable water demands, identifying practical water conservation measures, and developing implementation schedules and budgets for applications of appropriate water conservation measures.
On the Vegas strip, they are taking water conservation to new heights. City Center is the perfect example, $8 billion of environmentally-friendly luxury including low-flow water fixtures, slashing water use by more than 100 million gallons a year.
Patricia Mulroy, oversees the operations of the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Las Vegas Valley Water District. The Water Authority is responsible for acquiring, treating and delivering water to local agencies that collectively served 2 million residents and 40 million annual visitors. Between 2002-2008 more than 400,000 more people moved in, but water consumption dropped by 20 billion gallons. “Everyone has a piece of the responsibility” Mulroy said.
Other regions are trying different solutions, but water experts agree: Conservation is American’s best hope.
This is such a critical subject and I wish more people will pay attention. I recently read an article where an expert said that the next world war will be fought over water!
ReplyDeleteIt is a pity many remain ignorant about such a valuable resource ... Thanks for sharing this.
Cheers,
Eliz (friend of Deana Martina)
You are correct. When writing this article I knew I had to get the information out without scaring the people - but the truth of the matter is - this is a very serious problem!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comment.
Cheers,
Dora