Water – a Precious Resource Under Threat

Introduction

Water is one of the most important resources we have on this planet. Water is life and life on this planet would not exist without water. Water plays a crucial role in all aspects of my life and is used for the most basic things like a viable source of replenishment, helping to prepare food, sanitation, electricity, travel, health and so many other ways that without this natural resource humans would have a hard time existing at all. If we look at water in America, we will see that around 40 states will have water shortages within median conditions in some parts of these states over the next ten years. The average American uses an average of 88 gallons of water a day at home and this seems like a lot because it is, and with eroding water infrastructure in the U.S. the conditions of quality control and maintaining its use is of importance for water stability in America. Access to safe drinking water across the world is a must and 1in 9 people do not have availability to clean drinking water and in a lot of third world countries there is no access to any water at all. I will look at ways in which water effects our everyday life’s, and how this precious resource is under threat do to climate change and overpopulation. I will be looking at ways to reduce and maintain water in my home by at least 50% over the next year. Water is a resource we cannot live without and most of the natural aquafers within the earth are drying up and once the water is gone, we have no way to replace it and that is why it is imperative that we all do our part on conserving, sustainability and maintaining our water on an individual basis.

Section 1: History and Contemporary Viewpoint

Water is a natural resource and humans have been depending on water since the hunting gathering phase. Then as we go through time a little more and back only 10,000 years ago when humans started an agrarian development and making it a way of life and just learning how to settle down permanently. With this new way of living humans started to thrive and human population started to grow a lot quicker. Then started seeing sedentary agricultural existence helped to build village and cities. Water was now readily used by humans making for a new relationship which brought about problems such as Pathogens and this happened by way of contaminated water. This started to bring health risks which prompted that on this planet water that is clean and pure for humans became essential to become urbanization and state emergence International water association.

Historical awareness of water in the United States, and the water infrastructure in the U.S. is over one hundred years aged and with this brings the issue of replacing and maintaining the water infrastructure and bringing awareness to the ever so growing problem of water shortage and water regulations in the U.S. and some experts say that it cost upwards of $1 trillion replace the current infrastructure. According to a report put out by Harvard University “by 2071, nearly half of the 204 fresh water basins in the United States may not be able to meet the monthly water demand”. Water scarcity would result from increased demand by a growing population agriculture demand, as well lesson rainfall totals and greater evaporation caused by global warming in recent years.

Comparing Historical Awareness of the Water Crisis

Globally, the results of hazardous water and poor sanitation is significantly impacting economic efficiency, education and most important health throughout the world. The water crisis shows no mercy especially in third world countries with cultures that depend greatly on water for survival. For example, developing countries like India have been dealing with a water crisis for a while. In India around 100 million people are facing a water crisis and because of this about 21 developed cities are on the brink of running out of groundwater by next year according to The National Institute for Transforming India (NITI 2019). With this water crisis many countries are looking for new ways to adapt to the current water crisis by coming up with sustainable solutions to help countries like India deal with their water problems. If we compare the awareness of India compared to United States, you will see that here in America we have organizations like (CWA) Clean Water Act and because of the its strict regulations and laws to make sure we here in America have safe drinking water. In India there is a lack of organizations to help regulate and monitor the current water crisis in India.

Another country that is experiencing a water crisis is Mexico City and surrounding metropolitan areas and this is bringing about an unprecedented water crisis in recent years. According to a report put out in 2018 by NPR.ORG (2018) “more than 20 million residents don't have enough water to drink”. Compared to the United States where we have agencies like (CWA) The Clean Water Act which helps to resolve problems for example, establish the basic structure for controlling pollutant releases into water within the U.S. Another example would be how the (EPA) Environmental Protection Agency has the jurisdiction to oversee and control certain programs like putting forth wastewater qualities for production. We also see the maintaining of existing requirements to set water quality levels for all contaminants in surface water throughout the United States. When looking at Mexico and the problems they are having distributing clean water for all they are constantly plagued with inconsistency’s that prolong the residents of Mexico City from having a good source of clean water supplies.

Being aware here in America of the right to have clean water is so much different then we see in other countries across the globe, and because of the lack of education, guidance and government policies countries like India and Mexico will continue to see a water crisis. Water in and around the world is being fought for by activists and those who feel that this natural resource is under threat and this would include organizations like the (NSF) National Science Foundation has partnered with other agencies showing their support for a sustainable water future around the globe. When looking this globally we see that at the minimum 1.8 billion humans use a fecally infected drinking origin. Globally water shortage results in more than 40% of the earth’s humans and percentage will rise in the near future. Now other factors to consider would be how floods and other water-related catastrophes produce around 70% of all casualties created by natural disasters.

Section 2: Real-World Applications and Specific Steps

Identify the opportunities for change and this can start by putting in to place a plan to reduce water usage in my town. I would like to start using a Rain Water Harvesting system to reduce water reduction in my home. First calculating annual rain fall in NH and the average rain fall is around 43 inches annually. Looking at what kind of system I will install to capture rain water and I am thinking a (DIY) Do It Yourself Rain Barrel System. This kind of system that I am installing will have a capacity of 55 gallons per barrel and I will be installing 2 barrels to complete this project. I must pick the appropriate location to place these barrels and I have decided to put these in the back of the house on the south side of the house near the side of the roof that slants the most giving me greater advantage through collecting of one of the downspouts. I must make sure there are screen above the spout to ensure the filtering of leaves and other debris. I will then use a first flush diverter to reduce contaminates. Next, I will install an overflow port and pea gravel to control excess water. I will set up a seasonal maintenance schedule to maintain and clean the barrel system. On average and this would depend on how big your rain water capture system is, and based on my system, which is two 55-gallon barrels/tanks should be drained every 3 to 5 years.

Looking at the laws in New Hampshire on rain water capture systems and it is not only legal in NH it is encouraged to do so. Because I am installing relatively small system there are no zoning laws or by laws preventing me from installing this type of system. This type of system will cost around 200$ to 500$ to set up the initial system for both barrels. This type of project should take no more than a couple of weeks to complete from start to finish. The ecological benefits of rain water harvesting system are big for example, by using a rain water capture system, means I will be drawing less water from the main water system where I live and in return this means that less water will need to be artificially taking from the environment. These are some of the biggest benefits to a rain water harvesting system. If we look at the water infrastructure of where I live and take into consideration how groundwater and reservoirs in some areas are sometimes overdrawn. By me supplying a part of my own water from the rain that falls on my roof I will be reducing the draw on some of these stressed systems in my region.

Section 3: Global Significance

If we look at water on a global water the world’s demand for water will surge over the next couple of decades. With increasingly expanding populations will drive increased consumption by humans, agriculture, and corporations worldwide. We are now seeing the effects of water stress globally for example, Chile is forecasted to move from medium water stress in 2010 to extremely high stress in 2040 which will have dire effect on the immediate environment that is mostly populated by humans. When looking at water scarcity it already affects every continent on the planet. Now water use has been increasing globally at more than twice the rate of population increase over the past century, and an increasing factor of regions are arriving at the limit at which water services can be sustainably delivered, mainly in extremely dry territories. Countries like India, China, and third world countries and developing countries like Mexico will experience water scarcity on higher levels than most developed countries.

Global Impact

Global impact of the current water crisis is having profound effect on the natural aquifers throughout the planet. NASA put out a report that retrieved information from their Grace satellites and it suggests we are seeing 13 of the planets 37 largest aquifers are being extremely exhausted from irrigation and other uses a lot quicker than they can be restored by rain or runoff throughout the planet. Other significant factors will show that water stress can also create disease for example, contaminated water is estimated to cause more than 500,000 diarrheal deaths a year worldwide. If we look what other diseases that are transmitted from contaminated water like dysentery, cholera, typhoid, polio and diarrhea. Globally freshwater are frequently shared by more than just one country in turn this can lead to disputes as fresh water becomes less readily available.

Global Application

Global applications such as water harvesting from where I live and say another part of the country like Illinois rainwater harvesting is legal in Illinois but with two major statutes. The Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act which relates to water conservation, efficiency, infrastructure, and management while promoting rainwater harvesting. Most states here in the U.S. it is legal to collect rain water, but some states like Illinois have strict regulations on how the water is collected and even in some cases the water you collect on your property has to be used on your property outdoors only. There are some states that require you to let state officials come on to your property and report on the rain water collection system you have in place. So, from my findings each state allows the collection of rain water but with regulations and guidelines to be followed. The opportunities to collect rain water and put it to good uses is paramount to ethical uses of water in all countries not just here in the U.S. Now some states have very little regulations when we look at how much rain water is stored on their property and a lot of states allow the collection of rain water and some states even encourage the harvesting of rain water. The laws in NH are very similar to other states if not the same in terms of state laws and regulations on rainwater harvesting.

Conclusion

Water is the most basic need of every human, animal and plant and other microorganism globally. Water is the distinctive source of all life, without water life would not exist. Water will become one of most the sort after resources in the next 50 years making for complications on countries who already are on a dangerous level of depleted water supplies. If we do not take action come up with more and better sustainable solutions like rain water harvesting for water sustainability, the global impact will not be reversible in its effects on the human way of life. Water conservation is necessary to fulfill the goal of future generations. Without action on water scarcity comes consequences that will affect every living thing on this planet. We as a society globally have one chance to save precious resources like “water” before it is too late.

References

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