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Module 1; Water matters

Unit 2: Global Issues and Water Unit 2: Global Issues and Water ConservationConservation

Source - National Federation of Group Water Schemes.

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Objective of this presentation

To give participants an understanding of some of the global issues around water

Although Ireland may not experience the critical water supply issues of many developing countries, our inefficient use and increasing demand may give rise to problems in the coming yearsCourtesy of DKIT

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Key facts about the global water situation

70% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water

3% of the Earth’s water is freshwater

2.25% of Earth’s water is locked up in ice

Less than 1% of the planet’s water is available for human consumption.

More than 1.2 billion people have no access to safe drinking water

(Courtesy of the National Federation of Group Water Schemes.

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Water usage and waste

It takes between 25 and 50 litres of water, free from harmful contaminants, to meet a person's basic daily needs (UNESCO)

This mother and her four daughters must fetch 20 buckets of water a day for their household in Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaCourtesy of the National Federation of Group Water Schemes

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Typicial Household Water Usage - per capita consumption

Outside Use6%

Washing machine

12%

Ordinary Show er

5%

Bath15%

Kitchen Sink15%

Dishw asher4%

Wash basin8% Toilet

35%

Water usage

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Toilet35%

Outside Use6%

Washing machine12%

Ordinary Show er5%

Bath15%

Kitchen Sink15%

Dishw asher4%

Wash basin8%

Harvested Rainwater (in green) could replace at least 53% of our household

water usage

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A typical household can reduce water consumption by 40 % or more, with little or no effect on lifestyle.

Through maintainence of out-farm connections and simple rainwater harvesting, farmers can reduce water demand by over 40%

Dublin City Council predicts that the city will experience water shortages in 2015 if population grows as expected. (Irish Times, 2007)

Water usage and waste

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Water usage and waste - the importance of Water Conservation

Projects

As much as 30% of the total water entering supply-line systems is lost to leaking pipes.

As much again is lost through careless use and leaks on the consumer side of connections

To resolve the problem of leaking networks, local authorities and group water schemes are now undertaking major water conservation projects

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Step 1

Mapping

District

Metering

Areas (DMA)

Step 2 Installation

of Bulk Metersin each

DMA

Step 3Compare design water flow

(based on population served) with actual flow

(measured by Bulk Meters)

Step 4Where actual flows are

too high – Active Leakage Team will

then identify and repair leaks

Monaghan Co. Council’s Water Conservation Programme

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Group water scheme water conservation

Universal metering in addition to bulk metering

Installation of Pressure Reducing Valves in high pressure areas

A realistic charge for water following a free allocation

Regular billing

Critical mains replacement

An active and ongoing programme of leak detection

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GWS success in water demand reduction

In 2007 Tydavnet GWS was using 1,400 m3 daily. This fell to 980 m3 following successful detection of just one leak, thanks to a bulk meter indicating high usage in DMA (960 houses)

Killeen GWS (Mayo) reduced from 575 m3 daily to 168 m3 thanks to universal metering and charging policy (150 houses)

Ballyglass GWS (Mayo) reduced from 2,030 m3 daily to 505m3 through mains replacement and universal metering (500 houses)

Ballinagar GWS (Offaly) reduced daily demand from 820m3 in 2006 to 420 m3 in 2009 although the number of domestic connections rose from 500 to 560 houses, thanks to close management of flow through bulk and universal metering, leakage detection and charging policy

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M

SV

SV

PRV

Critical Mains Rehab

District Meter

Pressure Reduction ValveReducing Pressure from 70m to 40m should

reduce leakage by 55% Consumer Meter Box

• Reduce Distribution Network to < 25% UFW

- Typical District Metered Area

- Possible solutions identified

Reducing UFW in Distribution Network

Leaks

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13/09/07 EVGWS

Setting Targets

Original Usage 5,700 m3/day

Target 3,000 m3/day

2007 usage 3,300 m3/day

2008 usage 2,900 m3/day

UFW 2,800 m3/day

49% Reduction

Saving to Scheme > €200,000 approx. p.a.

Erne Valley GWS - 1,100 Houses, 70 cent/m3

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<800 mm

800-1000 mm

1000-1200 mm

1200-1400 mm

1400-1600 mm

1600-2000 mm

2000-2800 mm

>2800 mm

Water Stress

Water

Water shortages are expected in the East coast of Ireland in the coming years

Even without climate change, there is a huge variation between rainfall levels in the West and the East

Ireland’s largest population centres are located in the area of least rainfall

Graphic by G Cullen, DKIT

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Discussion/Exercise

Source: Time Magazine

Explore websites www.taptips.iewww.voiceireland.org

Debate the following proposition:‘Without universal metering and charging policies that reflect the true value of water, the goal of ending water wastage will remain a pipe dream’.