Water and Water Use II. Earth’s Water Compartments.

Water and Water Use IIWater and Water Use II

Earth’s Water CompartmentsEarth’s Water Compartments

Earth's water compartments-estimated volume of water in storage(thousands ofkm3), percent of total, and average residence time.Category Volume % Total Water Residence TimeTotal 1,403,377 100 2,800 yearsOcean 1,370,000 97.6 3,000/30,000 yearsIce and snow 29,000 2.07 1 to 16,000 yearsGroundwater 4,000 0.28 Days to 1000s yrsLakes/Reservoirs 125 0.009 1 to 100 yearsSaline lakes 104 0.007 10 to 1,000 yearsSoil moisture 65 0.005 2 weeks to 1 yearPlants/Animals 65 0.005 1 weekAtmosphere 13 0.001 8 to 10 daysSwamps/marshes 3.6 0.003 Months to yearsRivers and streams 1.7 0.0001 10 to 30 days

Renewable Water SuppliesRenewable Water Supplies

Water is renewable due to surface runoff plus the Water is renewable due to surface runoff plus the infiltration into accessible freshwater aquifers. infiltration into accessible freshwater aquifers.

WithdrawalWithdrawal = Total amount taken for any purpose. = Total amount taken for any purpose. Humans withdraw about 10%Humans withdraw about 10% of the total annual of the total annual renewable supply.renewable supply.

ConsumptionConsumption = Water no longer available for use = Water no longer available for use because it has evaporated, transpired, been because it has evaporated, transpired, been incorporated into products and crops, consumed by incorporated into products and crops, consumed by man or livestock, ejected directly into sea, or man or livestock, ejected directly into sea, or otherwise removed from freshwater resources.otherwise removed from freshwater resources.

Renewable Water SuppliesRenewable Water Supplies

The term consumption excludes water losses during The term consumption excludes water losses during transport of water between the points or points of transport of water between the points or points of abstractions and point or points of use. It is estimated abstractions and point or points of use. It is estimated that between 30 – 50% of urban water is lost due to that between 30 – 50% of urban water is lost due to leaking pipes (Since 1976 Boston has reduced losses leaking pipes (Since 1976 Boston has reduced losses from 50% to 36%). In Norway the figure is estimated from 50% to 36%). In Norway the figure is estimated to be as high as 70% loss.to be as high as 70% loss.

Degradation = Change in quality so water is no longer Change in quality so water is no longer as usable.as usable.

Water ConsumptionWater ConsumptionTotal water use has been increasing about twice as fast Total water use has been increasing about twice as fast as human population growth.as human population growth.Agriculture: uses the lion’s share of water. Inefficient, with

60 to 70% of the withdrawn never reach crops.. Industry: 25% of all water use.

Freshwater shortages -Freshwater shortages - 1.5 1.5 billion people lack access to billion people lack access to adequate quantity and adequate quantity and quality of drinking water.quality of drinking water.

Three billion people do not Three billion people do not have acceptable sanitation.have acceptable sanitation.

Current and Current and Predicted Predicted Freshwater Freshwater UsageUsage

Projected Areas of Water Stress or Projected Areas of Water Stress or Scarcity for 2025Scarcity for 2025

The Profligate Urban ConsumerThe Profligate Urban ConsumerA relatively small proportion of domestic water is used on the essential purposes needed for life and health. Daily per capita consumption on essentials in a typical modern household with a piped supply providing 150 - 200 liters per head is as follows:

Drinking and cooking = 3-6 liters,Washing and personal hygiene = 15-20 liters,

(excluding use of flush toilets, baths and showers).Cleaning the house = 3-10 liters.Total = 21-36 liters.

In the UK, 83 liters a day are used on toilets, baths, showers, washing machines and dishwashers. Garden use, car washing, dripping taps and leakage consume 49 liters.

Water ConsumptionWater Consumption

Comparison of Residential Water Use Comparison of Residential Water Use by Different Countriesby Different Countries

Deficit Water UsageDeficit Water Usage

Country Water withdrawn as % of renewable

Years to double population

Libya 374% 20.4

Qatar 174% 33.0

United Arab Emirates

140% 24.8

Yemen 135% 21.7

Jordan 110% 19.3

Israel 110% 46.2

Saudi Arabia 106% 21.7

Kuwait >100% 23.1

Bahrain >100% 28.9

Countries Whose Water Use Exceeds 100% Of Their Renewable Countries Whose Water Use Exceeds 100% Of Their Renewable Water SuppliesWater Supplies

Dependency on Other Countries for WaterDependency on Other Countries for Water

Country % of water from outside borders

Years to double population

Egypt 97% 30.1

Netherlands 89% 138.6

Cambodia 82% 27.7

Syria 79% 18.2

Sudan 77% 22.4

Iraq 66% 18.7

Countries Dependent On River Flow from Other Countries For Countries Dependent On River Flow from Other Countries For More Than Half Of Their Renewable WaterMore Than Half Of Their Renewable Water

DefinitionsDefinitions

WatershedWatershed:: the area of land that catches rain and snow and the area of land that catches rain and snow and drains or seeps into a marsh, stream, river, lake or drains or seeps into a marsh, stream, river, lake or groundwater. It is a groundwater. It is a renewable resource - replenished by renewable resource - replenished by precipitation.precipitation.

DefinitionsDefinitionsFloodsFloods:: seasonal inundation of the land surrounding a river. seasonal inundation of the land surrounding a river.

(Provides rich organic sediment - fertilizes the land.)(Provides rich organic sediment - fertilizes the land.)

ChannelizationChannelization:: straightening, deepening, widening a stream straightening, deepening, widening a stream (Corp of engineers). (Corp of engineers). Causes worse downstream flooding Causes worse downstream flooding because floodwaters are forced downstream.because floodwaters are forced downstream.

Water Compartment - Lakes, Ponds, Water Compartment - Lakes, Ponds, Rivers, StreamsRivers, Streams

Lakes, ponds, rivers, and Lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams are accessible, so streams are accessible, so important. Short residence timeimportant. Short residence time

Wetlands -Wetlands - bogs, swamps, wet bogs, swamps, wet meadows, marshes. Stabilize meadows, marshes. Stabilize soil and hold back surface soil and hold back surface runoff, allowing time for runoff, allowing time for infiltration into aquifers. infiltration into aquifers. Provide year-long stream flow.Provide year-long stream flow.

Overdrawing Surface WatersOverdrawing Surface Waters

Removing too much fresh water from a river or lake.Removing too much fresh water from a river or lake.U.S. Southwest - 70% of surface water is removed. U.S. Southwest - 70% of surface water is removed. Wetlands dry up - breeding grounds for bird species. Wetlands dry up - breeding grounds for bird species. Causes increasing salinity for many bodies of water.Causes increasing salinity for many bodies of water.

Owens Lake - water Owens Lake - water was first diverted from was first diverted from the Owens River 223 the Owens River 223 miles to the City of miles to the City of Los Angeles in 1913, Los Angeles in 1913, and by 1926 Owens and by 1926 Owens Lake was dry.Lake was dry.

Global Surface Water IssuesGlobal Surface Water Issues

The level of the Dead Sea plummeted more than 10 The level of the Dead Sea plummeted more than 10 meters during the 20th century. meters during the 20th century.

In an agreement in 1981 between Israel and Jordan, In an agreement in 1981 between Israel and Jordan, they increased the volume of water they could take they increased the volume of water they could take from the River Jordan, which has been reduced to from the River Jordan, which has been reduced to little more than a drainage ditch. little more than a drainage ditch.

In northern Israel the Sea of Galilee, which gives In northern Israel the Sea of Galilee, which gives much of the south its water, is shrinking and much of the south its water, is shrinking and threatening to turn saline.threatening to turn saline.

Global Surface Water IssuesGlobal Surface Water IssuesLake Chad, once one of the sources of the Nile, is Lake Chad, once one of the sources of the Nile, is shrinking at a rate of nearly 100 meters a year; in dry shrinking at a rate of nearly 100 meters a year; in dry years, you can wade across it.years, you can wade across it.

The water level in the once-The water level in the once-pristine Lake Baikal, the pristine Lake Baikal, the deepest fresh-water lake in deepest fresh-water lake in the world, is sinking the world, is sinking steadily. At the same time, steadily. At the same time, the quality of its water the quality of its water deteriorates as effluent deteriorates as effluent from unregulated factories from unregulated factories pours into it.pours into it.

Colorado RiverColorado River

Headwaters in Wyoming; discharge in Gulf of CaliforniaHeadwaters in Wyoming; discharge in Gulf of California

Perhaps the most over-utilized river in the world. Perhaps the most over-utilized river in the world. Water quality can be so salty that Mexican farmers Water quality can be so salty that Mexican farmers are unable to use it on their cropsare unable to use it on their crops..

Sometimes no more than a trickle reaches the Gulf.Sometimes no more than a trickle reaches the Gulf.

Mono LakeMono Lake

Salty desert lake in CA, Salty desert lake in CA, east of Yosemite.east of Yosemite.

Snowmelt redirected away Snowmelt redirected away from Mono Lake to from Mono Lake to L.A. L.A.

The lake has gone down The lake has gone down 40 feet; the salinity 40 feet; the salinity has doubled. has doubled.

Migratory birds, such as Migratory birds, such as loons, grebes, loons, grebes, cormorants, egrets, cormorants, egrets, bitterns, are at risk bitterns, are at risk (food and predators).(food and predators).

Groundwater accounts for more than 95% of all fresh Groundwater accounts for more than 95% of all fresh water available for use.water available for use.

Approximately 50% of Americans obtain all or part of Approximately 50% of Americans obtain all or part of their drinking water from groundwater.their drinking water from groundwater.

Nearly 95% of rural residents rely on groundwater for Nearly 95% of rural residents rely on groundwater for their drinking supply.their drinking supply.

About half of irrigated cropland uses groundwater.About half of irrigated cropland uses groundwater.

Approximately one third of industrial water needs are Approximately one third of industrial water needs are fulfilled by using groundwater.fulfilled by using groundwater.

Groundwater FactsGroundwater Facts

Water Compartment - GroundwaterWater Compartment - Groundwater

Precipitation that percolates through the soil and into Precipitation that percolates through the soil and into fractures and spaces of permeable rocks (fractures and spaces of permeable rocks (infiltrationinfiltration) ) until stopped by impenetrable rock layer. until stopped by impenetrable rock layer.

GroundwaterGroundwaterGroundwater is recharged slowly, and so it must not be Groundwater is recharged slowly, and so it must not be used so quickly as to not be renewable.used so quickly as to not be renewable.

30 times as much groundwater as all other fresh water30 times as much groundwater as all other fresh water (lakes, rivers, reservoirs). (lakes, rivers, reservoirs).

Overdrawing GroundwaterOverdrawing Groundwater

Ogallala AquiferOgallala Aquifer

225,000 square miles in the Great 225,000 square miles in the Great Plains regionPlains region

Water level dropping 2-5 feet a Water level dropping 2-5 feet a year, but worst in Texas.year, but worst in Texas.

At this rate of depletion, the At this rate of depletion, the aquifer can supply water aquifer can supply water for the next 40 to 100 years. for the next 40 to 100 years.

Much of the ground water we now Much of the ground water we now are using was left by the are using was left by the glaciers—glaciers—so we are mining so we are mining the waterthe water. .

Ogallala AquiferOgallala Aquifer Cost of 1 acre-foot Cost of 1 acre-foot ((325,000 gals325,000 gals.) has .) has gone from $1.50 to gone from $1.50 to $60 because of cost of $60 because of cost of pumping. But the pumping. But the federal government federal government subsidizes the cost.subsidizes the cost..

Effect of Urbanization on Water Effect of Urbanization on Water MovementMovement

1993 Flood (a ‘50 year’ flood)1993 Flood (a ‘50 year’ flood)Channelization and building in the converted wetlands

caused:1. Less wetlands to hold water 2. High rates of surface runoff (+ less groundwater)3. More build-up of flood waters downstream

Covered 17,000 square miles in Covered 17,000 square miles in nine states.nine states.

1996 Flood - Another 1996 Flood - Another ‘50 year’ Flood‘50 year’ Flood

Saltwater Intrusion on GroundwaterSaltwater Intrusion on Groundwater

Water Usage IssuesWater Usage Issues

Important issues:Important issues:

How much water does each individual “need”?How much water does each individual “need”?

In what ways can we develop fresh water resources In what ways can we develop fresh water resources in a safe renewable manner.in a safe renewable manner.

How can we conserve and wisely use the water How can we conserve and wisely use the water resources available?resources available?

How Much Water Is Needed Per How Much Water Is Needed Per PersonPerson

The average person needs a minimum of The average person needs a minimum of 1.3 gallons (5 liters) of water per day to 1.3 gallons (5 liters) of water per day to survive in a moderate climate at an survive in a moderate climate at an average activity level.average activity level.

The minimum amount of water needed for The minimum amount of water needed for drinking, cooking, bathing, and sanitation drinking, cooking, bathing, and sanitation is 13 gallons (50 liters). is 13 gallons (50 liters).

How Much Water Is Needed Per How Much Water Is Needed Per PersonPerson

The average person in the United States uses between 65 The average person in the United States uses between 65 to 78 gallons of water (250 to 300 liters) per day for to 78 gallons of water (250 to 300 liters) per day for drinking, cooking, bathing, and watering their yards. drinking, cooking, bathing, and watering their yards.

The average person in the Netherlands uses only 27 The average person in the Netherlands uses only 27 gallons (104 liters) per day for the same tasks.gallons (104 liters) per day for the same tasks.

Many people in the poorest nations survive on far less than Many people in the poorest nations survive on far less than the recommended amount. The average person in Somalia the recommended amount. The average person in Somalia uses only 2.3 gallons (8.9 liters) of water per person per uses only 2.3 gallons (8.9 liters) of water per person per day. day.

U.S. Population GrowthU.S. Population Growth1980 – 2025 (Source: US Census)1980 – 2025 (Source: US Census)

Greater than 100%

Between 75% and 100%

Between 25% and 50%

Between 50% and 75%

Less than 25%

Accessing More WaterAccessing More WaterDesalinizationDesalinization:: removal of salts making water fit to drinkremoval of salts making water fit to drink

DistillationDistillation: boiling off and collection of water. High : boiling off and collection of water. High energy input.energy input.

Reverse osmosisReverse osmosis: forcing salt water through a : forcing salt water through a membrane that is permeable to water but not salt.membrane that is permeable to water but not salt.

Harvesting Icebergs:Harvesting Icebergs: Huge amounts of fresh water are Huge amounts of fresh water are available in icebergs if they can be towed without available in icebergs if they can be towed without excessive melting.excessive melting.

Reservoirs, Canals, and AqueductsReservoirs, Canals, and Aqueducts:: Refer back to Refer back to earlier discussions of consequences.earlier discussions of consequences.

Accessing More WaterAccessing More Water

Collection of moisture from fogCollection of moisture from fog:: techniques to cause techniques to cause condensation of fog on surfaces that allow for condensation of fog on surfaces that allow for collection and storage of fresh water.collection and storage of fresh water.

Collection of rainwater: Collection of rainwater: collection from roof systems to collection from roof systems to supply both drinking water and bathing water.supply both drinking water and bathing water.

Reverse Reverse OsmosisOsmosis

Of the more than 7,500 desalinization plants in Of the more than 7,500 desalinization plants in operation worldwide, 60% are located in the Middle operation worldwide, 60% are located in the Middle East. East.

The world's largest plant in Saudi Arabia produces The world's largest plant in Saudi Arabia produces 128 MGD of desalted water. 128 MGD of desalted water.

In contrast, 12% of the world's capacity is produced In contrast, 12% of the world's capacity is produced in the Americas, with most of the plants located in in the Americas, with most of the plants located in the Caribbean and Florida.the Caribbean and Florida.

Desalinization - UsageDesalinization - Usage

Desalinization plants produce liquid wastes that may Desalinization plants produce liquid wastes that may contain all or some of the following constituents: contain all or some of the following constituents: high salt concentrations, chemicals used during high salt concentrations, chemicals used during defouling of plant equipment and pretreatment, and defouling of plant equipment and pretreatment, and toxic metals (which are most likely to be present if toxic metals (which are most likely to be present if the discharge water was in contact with metallic the discharge water was in contact with metallic materials used in construction of the plant facilities).materials used in construction of the plant facilities).

Desalinization - ByproductsDesalinization - Byproducts

Liquid wastes may be discharged directly into the Liquid wastes may be discharged directly into the ocean, combined with other discharges (e.g., power ocean, combined with other discharges (e.g., power plant cooling water or sewage treatment plant plant cooling water or sewage treatment plant effluent) before ocean discharge, discharged into a effluent) before ocean discharge, discharged into a sewer for treatment in a sewage treatment plant, or sewer for treatment in a sewage treatment plant, or dried out and disposed of in a landfill. dried out and disposed of in a landfill.

Desalinization plants also produce a small amount of Desalinization plants also produce a small amount of solid waste (e.g., spent pretreatment filters and solid solid waste (e.g., spent pretreatment filters and solid particles that are filtered out in the pretreatment particles that are filtered out in the pretreatment process). process).


For example, the capacity of the City of Santa Barbara's For example, the capacity of the City of Santa Barbara's desalinization plant is 7,500 AF/yr (about 7.16 MGD). In desalinization plant is 7,500 AF/yr (about 7.16 MGD). In May 1992, the plant produced 6.7 MGD of product water May 1992, the plant produced 6.7 MGD of product water and generated 8.2 MGD of waste brine with a salinity and generated 8.2 MGD of waste brine with a salinity approximately 1.8 times that of seawater. approximately 1.8 times that of seawater.

An additional 1.7 MGD of brine was generated from filter An additional 1.7 MGD of brine was generated from filter backwash. Assuming that concentrations of suspended backwash. Assuming that concentrations of suspended solids in the seawater feed range from 10 to 50 ppm, solids in the seawater feed range from 10 to 50 ppm, approximately 1.7 to 5.1 cubic yards per day of solids approximately 1.7 to 5.1 cubic yards per day of solids were generated, which is equivalent to one to two truck-were generated, which is equivalent to one to two truck-loads per week.loads per week.


In 1991, the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of In 1991, the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern California paid $27/AF for water from the Southern California paid $27/AF for water from the Colorado River and $195/AF for water from the Colorado River and $195/AF for water from the California Water Project. One acre foot of water = California Water Project. One acre foot of water = 325,851 gallons325,851 gallons

The cost of desalted water in Santa Barbara ($1,900/AF) The cost of desalted water in Santa Barbara ($1,900/AF) Price estimates of water produced by desalinization Price estimates of water produced by desalinization plants in California range from $1,000 to $4,000/AF. plants in California range from $1,000 to $4,000/AF.

Desalinization - CostDesalinization - Cost

IcebergsIcebergs

A 90 x 35 kilometer piece which drifted along the Antarctic Peninsula in 1977, for example, contained enough water to supply fresh water to Washington, D.C., for thousands of years.

A trip to A trip to Southern Southern California or California or Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia would take would take about a year, about a year, with a 20 with a 20 percent loss due percent loss due to melting.to melting.

IrrigationIrrigation

Water ConservationWater Conservation

Reducing Reducing agriculturalagricultural water waste: water waste:

Irrigation methods consist of flooding land or using Irrigation methods consist of flooding land or using above ground sprinklers to water crops.above ground sprinklers to water crops.

Approximately 40 - 60% of water lost to evaporation or Approximately 40 - 60% of water lost to evaporation or leakage. leakage.

Using Using drip irrigationdrip irrigation to water fields can reduce water to water fields can reduce water use by 40%. The cost is large for the equipment.use by 40%. The cost is large for the equipment.

Sequential IrrigationSequential Irrigation

Sequential crop irrigation Sequential crop irrigation farmers use agricultural farmers use agricultural drainage water from one crop, such as lettuce, to irrigate drainage water from one crop, such as lettuce, to irrigate a more salt-tolerant crop, such as cotton. The water a more salt-tolerant crop, such as cotton. The water may be used once again on extremely salt-tolerant crops may be used once again on extremely salt-tolerant crops before the much-reduced volume of water is pumped before the much-reduced volume of water is pumped into a comparatively small evaporation pond. into a comparatively small evaporation pond.


Reducing Reducing industrialindustrial water waste: water waste:

If returned in original quantities and without thermal If returned in original quantities and without thermal shock effects.shock effects.

Then, use of water for cooling is a Then, use of water for cooling is a withdrawal,withdrawal,not consumption/degradationnot consumption/degradation..


Reducing Reducing residentialresidential water waste: water waste:

More efficient appliances.More efficient appliances.

Reduction of unneeded uses in bathing.Reduction of unneeded uses in bathing.

Use of grey waterUse of grey water

Xeriscape gardeningXeriscape gardening

Water ConservationWater ConservationReducing Municipal Water WasteReducing Municipal Water Waste

Decreasing lawn watering Decreasing lawn watering Low flow toilet (30% less water) (3 gal, not 5 gal)Low flow toilet (30% less water) (3 gal, not 5 gal)Clivus Multrum waterless toilet (save over 60,000 Clivus Multrum waterless toilet (save over 60,000 liters of water per year in the average home)liters of water per year in the average home)

If water is treated and If water is treated and returned, these uses returned, these uses are withdrawals, not are withdrawals, not consumption.consumption.

Wastewater is circulated Wastewater is circulated inside a greenhouse through inside a greenhouse through a series of clear tanks, each a series of clear tanks, each with its own aquatic with its own aquatic ecosystem, and marshes. In ecosystem, and marshes. In this treatment process, this treatment process, sunlight, oxygen, bacteria, sunlight, oxygen, bacteria, algae, plants, snails and fish algae, plants, snails and fish work together to purify the work together to purify the water. The super-clean water. The super-clean effluent from these systems effluent from these systems can be used for irrigation or can be used for irrigation or groundwater recharging or groundwater recharging or disinfected and used to disinfected and used to flush toilets.flush toilets.

Duplicate and Optimize the Duplicate and Optimize the Natural Water Purification Natural Water Purification Processes of Freshwater Processes of Freshwater

Wetlands.Wetlands.

Grey WaterGrey Water

Grey Water Grey Water Compared to Compared to Black WaterBlack Water

XeriscapingXeriscapingXeriscape is a word derived from the combination Xeriscape is a word derived from the combination of a Greek word "Xeros" meaning dry and "scape" of a Greek word "Xeros" meaning dry and "scape" from the word "landscape.“ These plants can live, from the word "landscape.“ These plants can live, once established, with little or no supplemental once established, with little or no supplemental watering. Some are drought tolerant. Xeriscape watering. Some are drought tolerant. Xeriscape means the conservation of water and energy means the conservation of water and energy through creative landscaping.through creative landscaping.

Water and Water Use II. Earth’s Water Compartments.

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Transcript of Water and Water Use II. Earth’s Water Compartments.