Environmental Science 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 300L 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