Water Use Environmental Science Global water use Most

Water Use Environmental Science

Global water use • Most of the water worldwide is used to irrigate • • crops The availability of freshwater, population sizes and economic conditions affect how people use water Three major uses for water are: – – – Residential use Agricultural use Industrial use

Residential Use • About 8% of water is used for household activities like drinking and washing • Water Treatment makes water potable or safe to drink – Removes elements like mercury, lead, and arsenic which are poisonous – Removes pathogens or organisms that make you sick

Industrial Water Use • 19% of water used in the world – Most used to cool power plants • Use to manufacture goods, dispose of waste, and generate power – It takes 500, 000 L of water to manufacture one car!

Agricultural Water Use • 67% of water used in the world – Irrigation provides plans with water that is from precipitation • As much as 80% of the water never reaches the plants because it evaporates – It takes about 300 L to produce one ear of corn!

Human Water Management • Goals include making a dry area habitable, creating a reservoir for recreation/drinking water, or generating electric power

Water Management: Aqueducts • Romans in France and Spain

Water Management: Dams

Water Management: Water Diversion Canals

Water Conservation: Agriculture • Drip Irrigation Systems: deliver small amounts of water directly to plant roots by using perforated tubing

Water Conservation: Industry • Recycling: cooling water and wastewater are recycled, saving money and water

Water Conservation: Home • Shorter Showers, no baths • Low-flow shower heads • Install low-flow aerators in water faucets • Low-flow toilet, water-filled bottle in tank • Turn off water when brushing teeth • Fill sink when washing face/hands, shaving, doing dishes • Full loads in dishwasher/washing machine • Rarely water lawn

Future Solutions • Desalination: removing salt from water –Uses lots of energy and is expensive • Transporting Water: towing bags of water from one area to another (Ex: Alaska to California), or towing icebergs