Water Crisis and Freshwater Resources

• Unsustainable Water Use:

  • Freshwater is being extracted faster than it can be replenished.

  • Wasting, polluting, and underpricing water contributes to a crisis.

  • Only 0.024% of the world's total water supply is available as freshwater.

• Global Water Usage:

  • 70% used for irrigation, 18% for industry, remaining for residential (drinking, cooking).

  • Water footprint concept includes both direct and indirect usage (virtual water).

• Water's Economic and Health Implications:

  • Water use is tied to global health, security, and environmental issues.

Freshwater Scarcity

• Causes of Scarcity:

  • Factors include dry climates, droughts, inefficient use, overuse.

  • Freshwater scarcity stress compares available freshwater with human usage levels.

• Water Scarcity Hotspots:

  • Identified in 17 western U.S. states.

  • The Colorado River system is a significant challenge due to overuse and treaty obligations.

• Shared Water Resources:

  • Many water basins are shared by multiple countries, leading to potential conflicts.

Freshwater Systems

• Groundwater and Surface Water:

  • Zone of Saturation: Area where all soil/rock spaces are filled with water.

  • Water Table: Top of the groundwater zone, fluctuating based on various factors.

  • Aquifer: Underground rock body that stores flowing water.

• Watershed:

  • Land area draining into a particular water body, vital for managing fresh water.

• Water Cycle:

  • Precipitation infiltrates to recharge groundwater supplies.

Dams and Water Transfer Projects

• Benefits of Dams:

  • Capture and store surface runoff for supply, recreation, and hydroelectricity.

• Drawbacks of Dams:

  • Displacement of communities, flooding of lands, ecological harm, lifespan issues (50 years).

• Water Transfer Challenges:

  • Alter river flow, risking downstream ecosystems and leading to inefficient water usage.

Desalination

• Definition and Methods:

  • Desalination: Removing salt to make seawater into freshwater.

  • Methods include distillation and reverse osmosis.

• Challenges:

  • High costs and energy use, chemical pollution, and production of salty wastewater.

• Innovations:

  • Solar-powered desalination systems have potential for improvement.

Sustainable Water Practices

• Strategies:

  • Reduce waste, raise prices, improve irrigation methods to sustain freshwater.

  • Tackling irrigation losses can free up significant amounts of water.

• Home and Industry Roles:

  • Industries should recapture and recycle water.

  • Households can reduce usage through low-flow fixtures, fixing leaks, and using gray water.

• Awareness and Pricing:

  • Full-cost pricing can create mindfulness about consumption, prompting sustainable practices.

Conclusion

• Takeaway:

  • Freshwater shortages are a major global issue, necessitating sustainable practices in usage, pricing, and ecosystem protections to ensure availability for future generations.