Water Scarcity: Tomorrow

1
Water Scarcity Tomorrows Problem

• Alex Hall
• Shane Schwikert
• Mike Jen

2
What We Will Address

• Whats the Problem?
• Hypothesis
• Relevant Research and Findings
• Future Concerns
• Preventative Measures
• Take Home Message

3
Hypothesis

• If global water scarcity issues are not addressed
  today, it will greatly limit future
  sustainability.

(www.watsys.sr.unh.edu/.../girl-water_sm.jpg)
4
Introduction

• Effects of water scarcity not felt everywhere
• However, one billion people lack access to clean
  drinking water (1/6 world population)

(www.nadir.org/.../txt/2002/waterscarcity.htm)
5
Introduction Contd

• Water is not being recycled efficiently
• Water pollution rate is higher than natural
  purification rate
• Only 0.009 of earths water is readily available
  for use (Al-Sofi, 1994)

6
Results and Discussion

• Lack of abundant usable water creates tension
  among countries
• Many countries are at a geographic,
  water-deprived disadvantage
• Treaties that do exist are localized and
  generally ineffective

7
Results and Discussion
8
Results and Discussion
Graph with 0 recycled water
9
Results and Discussions
Graph with 70 recycled water
10
Implications
(www.infoforhealth.org/pr/m14/fig5a.gif)
11
Implications Contd

• Many global implications
• Health Care
• 10,000-20,000 children killed by water-related
  diseases every day

• Environmental
• 20 of all freshwater fish species are now
  threatened or endangered (Gleick, 2001)

12
Implications Contd
(www.waternunc.com/.../waterscarity2025.jpg)
13
Solutions

• Implement efficient recycling/reclaimation system
  for irrigation water
• 3.4 Billion gallons drinking water saved, enough
  to support 31,000 families
• Only 2.3 wastewater is currently recycled
• 26 Million could be saved in Los Angeles County
  in water transportation costs if efficient
  recycling implemented (Arrandale, 2002)

14
Our Solutions

• Develop and mandate more efficient household
  water heaters
• Heated Pipes
• Better Insulation throughout system
• Effects Conservation, lower heating costs

(Shanes Basement)
15
Our Solutions

• Compose new multinational treaties to address
• Water sharing
• Eliminating unequal distribution
• Allocate with regard to aridity of region

16
Conclusion

• More than one solution is needed to solve problem

• Consumption continues to steadily increase while
  water remains limited
• Must be addressed for future sustainability

(http//www.umweltbundesamt.de/wah20-e/grafik/Tafe
l1_2.jpg)
17
Citations

• Arrandale, Thomas. (2002). Our Drinking Water
  Will Come FromWhere? Governing 50-56.
• Gleick, Robert. (2001). Making Every Drop Count.
  Scientific American 284 40-45.
• Al-Sofi, Mohammad Abdul-Kareem. (1994). Water
  Scarcity - The Challenge of The Future. Elsevier
  Science 98 425-435.