Too Little Water

Georgia Rivers

Watershed

Chattahoochee Watershed

The Importance of Water

Largest watersheds

Drought - Too Little WaterGroundwater Aquifer depletion- Ogallala Aquifer

Too Little Water

Saltwater intrusion

Sink Holes

Transporting Water

Aqueducts -

Providing a Sustainable Water Supply?

Transporting WaterColorado River

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzWA8gTb4og

Colorado River Compact

Lake Mead

Diverting Water Aral Sea

2009?

1973 1987 1999

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0Pi61SyVSM

Global Water Problems• Water distribution globally is very inequitable• Stable runoff varies• Drinking Water Problems

1.4 billion lack safe water

2.9 billion lack proper wastewater disposal

Population Growth and Water Problems• India – 8,000 villages have no local water supply• China – water table falling 2-3 m / year• Mexico City – water table falling 3.5 m / year

International Waters

Rhine River

Nile River

Tri-State Water Wars

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) constructed Buford Dam and created Lake Lanier fifty years ago. The Lake’s authorized purpose was to provide flood control, hydropower and navigation.

In 1989, the Corps recommended that a portion of the water being used for hydropower should be reallocated for water supply in the Atlanta region.

Water Ownership

English Common Law or Riparian Rights: (East Coast) all landowners whose property is adjacent to a body of water have the right to make reasonable use of it. These rights cannot be sold or transferred other than with the adjoining land, and water cannot be transferred out of the watershed.

Prior Appropriation: (West Coast) water rights are unconnected to land ownership, and can be sold or mortgaged like other property. The first person to use a quantity of water from a water source for a beneficial use has the right to continue to use that quantity of water for that purpose.

Desalination

Providing a Sustainable Water Supply

DesalinizationTwo methods:1) Distillation

Condenses

Simplified process:

Salt water

Pure water is collected

Water boiled

Produces steam

Desalination

2) Reverse osmosis

Issues:1.$2.Large volumes of water3.Disposal

Salt water

H2O

salt

Pressure Fresh water

Salt impermeable membrane

Water Conservation

Reducing Water Use

Water Meters - apartmentsBuilding CodesLeaking Water SystemsSystems to Store RainwaterXeriscapingGrey Water SystemsLaser Leveling