Hydrology Quiz 2

What are the main sectors of water use?

Domestic, commercial, agriculture, and industrial.

What is the definition of green water?

Soil moisture from rain, used for rain-fed agriculture and natural ecosystems.

What is blue water?

Water from rivers, lakes, and aquifers used for irrigation and human consumption.

What are direct uses of water?

Swimming, cooking, sanitation, and drinking.

What are indirect uses of water?

Electricity generation, manufacturing, and irrigation.

What motivates the need to care about water use?

Many places do not have enough water.

What are some conservation strategies for water use?

Shorter showers, turning off water when not in use, and collecting rainwater.

What is the average indoor to outdoor water use ratio in U.S. households?

70% indoor and 30% outdoor.

What is the significance of the Environmental Kuznets Curve in relation to water use?

It illustrates the relationship between economic development and environmental degradation, including water use.

What is the average residential water use in liters per person per day in cities like Phoenix and Denver?

Varies, but can exceed 600 liters in some areas.

What is the typical water supply treatment process?

Involves multiple steps including sourcing, treating, and distributing water.

What percentage of water is used for agriculture in the U.S.?

Approximately 70% of the total water use.

What are some drivers of water use?

Survival needs, sanitation, climate, regulation, economics, technology, and culture.

What is the difference between freshwater and saline water?

Freshwater has less than 1,000 ppm of dissolved salts, while saline water has 1,000 to 35,000 ppm.

What is greywater?

Water that has been used for domestic purposes but can be reused for irrigation and other non-potable uses.

What is the role of technology in water use?

Efficient technology can reduce water consumption and improve water management.

What is a water footprint?

The total volume of freshwater used to produce goods and services consumed by an individual or community.

What is the purpose of peer review in the context of water use assignments?

To provide feedback and improve the quality of work before final submission.

What is the importance of water-saving strategies in commercial settings?

To reduce operational costs and environmental impact.

What is the significance of the City of Rochester Water Works?

It provides insights into municipal water supply and management practices.

What are the main uses of water in agriculture?

Irrigation for crops and livestock, and aquaculture.

What is the role of culture in influencing water use?

Cultural practices and beliefs can dictate water consumption patterns.

What is the average water storage capacity of Monroe County's water supply?

130 million gallons, sufficient for about 3 days of use.

What is the impact of climate on water use?

Climate affects the availability of water resources and demand for water.

What is the significance of the water use worksheet assignment?

To analyze personal water use and identify areas for conservation.

What are some behavioral strategies for reducing water use?

Turning off the tap while brushing teeth and taking shorter showers.

What is the role of regulations in water extraction?

Regulations can limit the amount of water that can be extracted to ensure sustainability.

What is the purpose of the course assessment in the context of water use studies?

To evaluate understanding and application of water resource concepts.

What is the significance of irrigation in agriculture?

Irrigation increases crop yield, especially when rainfall is insufficient or varies throughout the growing season.

What factors determine the need for irrigation?

The need to irrigate depends on the crop and climate.

What are the types of irrigation technology mentioned?

Surface, sprinkler, and localized (drip) irrigation.

What is the typical efficiency of surface irrigation?

60% efficiency.

What is the typical efficiency of sprinkler irrigation?

75% efficiency.

What is the typical efficiency of drip irrigation?

90% efficiency.

What is the water footprint of food?

The water footprint is the amount of water used to produce a specific food product, measured in cubic meters per ton.

What is the water footprint ratio for beef cattle?

13:1 (feed input to animal product output).

What is the water footprint ratio for pigs?

6:1 (feed input to animal product output).

What is the water footprint ratio for chicken?

1:1 (feed input to animal product output).

What is virtual water trade?

The international trade of food products that have a significant water footprint, allowing water-scarce regions to import water-intensive goods.

What are some agricultural innovations that can lead to water savings?

Modest crop shifting, smart irrigation scheduling, advanced irrigation management, and efficient irrigation technology.

What are financial incentives mentioned for reducing water use in agriculture?

Sales tax exemptions on efficient irrigation equipment, property tax exemptions for upgraded systems, and rebates for conservation measures.

What is the impact of agricultural water use on water scarcity?

can significantly affect local and global water scarcity due to high water demand and low economic value of water in agriculture.

What is the relationship between crop yield and water demand?

Water demand can be measured per area or per output, affecting how efficiently crops utilize water.

What is the importance of measuring water demand by crop?

It helps assess the efficiency of water use in agriculture and informs better management practices.

What is the significance of the water footprint for communities?

Communities can have a water footprint based on all imports, indicating their external water dependency.

How does the water footprint of food vary?

It varies significantly between crops and animal products, influencing agricultural practices and trade.

What are the basic facts about water use in agriculture?

Agriculture uses a lot of water, and its economic value is relatively low in terms of output per gallon.

What is the role of advanced irrigation management?

It optimizes water use and can lead to significant water savings in agricultural practices.

What are the challenges to efficient irrigation?

Challenges include access to water sources, infrastructure, and financial resources.

What is the impact of climate on irrigation needs?

Climate affects the variability of rainfall, which in turn influences the need for irrigation.

What are the benefits of using localized irrigation systems?

Localized systems, like drip irrigation, target water application directly to plants, reducing waste and increasing efficiency.

What is the significance of the film viewing and assignment on water?

It aims to enhance understanding of water issues and their implications in real-world scenarios.

What is the purpose of the personal water footprint worksheet?

To help individuals assess their water usage and its impact on water resources.

What is the water-energy nexus?

The interrelationship between water use in energy production and energy use in water management.

How much water does an average well use over its lifetime in hydrofracking?

4.3 million gallons of water.

What is shale gas?

Natural gas trapped in low-permeability rock.

What is the purpose of refining in petroleum processing?

To separate petroleum into different products.

What are the three types of cracking processes in refining?

Cracking (Crk) for light sweet crude oil, Light coking (LtCoking) for medium sour crude oil, Heavy coking (HvyCoking) for heavy sour crude oil.

What is non-consumptive water use?

Water use that allows the water to be returned to the source after use, such as in once-through cooling systems.

What is consumptive water use?

Water use that results in water being evaporated or otherwise removed from the source and not returned.

What are the three types of cooling systems mentioned?

Closed-loop, once-through, and dry cooling systems.

Which component of electricity generation has the largest life-cycle water footprint?

Generation (operations).

What is the water footprint of electricity in New York Upstate (NYUP)?

241 gallons per megawatt-hour (Gal/MWh).

What are the most water-intensive industries?

Chemicals, petroleum refining, pulp and paper, primary metals, and food processing.

What are some ways to reduce freshwater use in industrial processes?

Using brackish water, cleaning/recycling water within the facility, and increasing efficiency of processes.

What is the California State Water Project (SWP)?

A project that lifts water over mountains to supply Los Angeles, using significant energy for pumping.

What challenges are associated with the energy-water nexus?

Missing data on energy use for water extraction and distribution, and the need for energy efficiency in desalination.

What is the impact of Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) on water withdrawals?

It can reduce carbon emissions but sometimes increases water demand.

How does water use in electricity generation vary by energy source?

Different energy sources have varying life-cycle water consumption rates, with solar and wind generally using less water.

What is the significance of the water-energy-food nexus?

It highlights the interconnectedness of water, energy, and food systems and their resource demands.

What is the estimated energy use for California's State Water Project?

6-9.5 million megawatt-hours (MWh) per year.

What are the future opportunities in the water-energy nexus?

Switching to renewable energy sources, improving cooling efficiency, and integrating renewable energy with desalination.

What is the average crop water need per growing season?

Varies significantly by plant, with some needing up to 2500 mm.

What is the role of water in energy storage for renewables?

Water can be used in pumped hydro storage systems to balance energy supply and demand.

What is the expected trend for water withdrawals in power plants from 2010-2050?

A drop in withdrawals driven by changes in energy sources and increasing use of alternative water sources.

What is the relationship between energy efficiency and water demand in desalination?

Increasing energy efficiency can help reduce the water demand in desalination processes.

What is the significance of the term 'thermal pollution' in water use?

It refers to the negative environmental impact caused by the release of heated water back into natural water bodies.

What percentage of the electricity mix in New York Upstate is generated from hydro?

32.9%.

What is the primary focus of Module 5?

Water as a Resource

What is the California State Water Project's annual energy use for pumping?

6-9.5 million MWh/year

What percentage of California's agricultural pumps are electric?

84%

What is desalination?

The process of removing salt from seawater or brackish water to produce freshwater.

What are the two main strategies for desalination?

Thermal desalination (distillation) and reverse osmosis (filtration).

What is a major challenge of desalination?

It is energy-intensive.

What is the cost per cubic meter of water at the Carlsbad desalination plant?

$1.80

What environmental issue is associated with water intake during desalination?

It can kill organisms on screens or taken up by pipes.

What is brine and why is it a concern in desalination?

water with concentrated salts, and its disposal can harm ocean life.

What are some potential solutions to brine disposal issues?

Dispersing brine, reducing concentration, wetland restoration, and reusing brine.

What is one risk of overreliance on desalination?

Desalinated water lacks naturally-occurring magnesium, which is linked to health issues.

What are some strategies to save water?

Tell people how much they have, empower them to save, and employ creative strategies.

What is the water-energy-food nexus?

The interrelationship between water use, energy production, and food supply.

What is the expected trend for desalination capacity globally?

Capacity is expected to continue growing.

What is a common way to reduce freshwater use in industries?

Using brackish or saline water.

What are the most water-intensive industries?

Chemicals, petroleum refining, pulp and paper, primary metals, and food processing.

What is one solution to the energy intensity of desalination?

Integrate desalination with renewable energy sources.

What is a significant environmental impact of desalination?

Greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel use.

What is the role of membranes in desalination?

used for filtration but can clog and require high water pressure.

What is one potential benefit of desalination?

It can effectively increase the supply of freshwater.

What is the main challenge with energy costs in desalination?

Desalination is expensive primarily due to energy requirements.

What is the significance of the Carlsbad desalination plant?

It is a major desalination facility in California, providing a significant amount of water.