Solutions to Depletion of Fresh Water

Desalinization  A solution for water-poor countries  Desalinization or desalination= removing salt from salt water  Ocean or salty inland lakes  Middle East produces 50% of the world’s desalinated water

California

Desalination Techniques Distillation  Heat used to boil water which leaves salt behind as it evaporates  Steam captured & condensed  Great amount of energy required to boil water & condense it so it can be monetarily & environmentally expensive

Desalination Techniques Reverse osmosis  Water forced through a thin semipermeable membrane at high pressure  Water can pass through membrane, salt cannot  More efficient & less costly than distillation  But…salty liquid that’s left behind (called brine) cannot be deposited on land or bay due to high salt content  Typically brine is returned to open ocean

 Harvesting Icebergs  Carry fresh water to places that need it  Can it be done? Would it be economically sound? Increasing Water Supplies

 Seeding Clouds KI 2 crystals  Use dry ice or KI 2 crystals to cause rain to precipitate out of clouds  Takes the water out of clouds that would fall elsewhere  Possible contamination?

What you can do to conserve water

I Can Take Shorter Showers No longer than a 10 minute shower

I Can Use A Low Flow Shower Head 1994 federal standards issued for toilets and showerheads in the US. Regular showerhead- 10 min shower uses 150L (40gallons) of water but new reduced flow showerhead uses 95L (25 gallons)

Turn Off The Water While Brushing My Teeth

Fully Load Your Washing Machine Washing machines are not subject to new federal standards (like toilet & showerhead) but newer, more efficient washing machines are available for consumers but they cost twice as much.

Use a Water Efficient Washing Machine

Use a Dishwasher When You Have a Full Sink

Use An Electric Shaver

Xeriscaping: Plant Drought-Tolerant Plants Can save 2,000L of water per square meter of lawn per year!

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Water Outdoor Plants When There is Less Sunlight

Use Drip Irrigation

Fix Leaky Faucets and Toilets

Plant Shade Trees to Reduce Water Loss

Use A Low-Flush Toilet Regular toilet uses 27L per flush vs low flow uses 6L per flush  78% reduction in water use Dual flush toilets used in Australia, some European & Asian countries. Invented by an Australian company in 1980, it allows you to push one button for the normal 6L flush to remove solid waste, or you can push another button for a 3L flush for liquid waste.

Turkish inventor designed washing machine that pipes relatively clean water left over from washing machine into toilet Toilet that uses Gray Water Gray water= Water from showers, sinks & washing machines

Tell Your Family & others About Water Conservation

And Remember - Every Drop Counts Despite our growing population, the US has been able to reduce the amount of water we use. This largely the result of greater efficiency of water usage in agriculture, electricity generation, but also household use.