(reading speculation of water wars prompted me to lay out the issues) |
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* [[Technology]], e.g. [[advanced water treatment]] including [[reverse osmosis]] | * [[Technology]], e.g. [[advanced water treatment]] including [[reverse osmosis]] | ||
* Natural [[ecosystems]], e.g. through [[rivers]] and [[groundwater recharge]], allowing the water to be reused at a later stage | * Natural [[ecosystems]], e.g. through [[rivers]] and [[groundwater recharge]], allowing the water to be reused at a later stage | ||
* [[Artificial ecosystems]], e.g. [[ | * [[Artificial ecosystems]], e.g. [[constructed wetlands]], or | ||
* A combination of these, e.g. an [[advanced water treatment]] plant discharging to an artificial wetland, which discharges to a river. | * A combination of these, e.g. an [[advanced water treatment]] plant discharging to an artificial wetland, which discharges to a river. | ||
[[Water efficiency]] is obviously critical, including: | [[Water efficiency]] is obviously critical, including: | ||
* Using water multiple times - e.g. water from [[basins]], [[showers]] and [[washing clothes]] being used to [[flush toilets | * Using water multiple times - e.g. water from [[basins]], [[showers]] and [[washing clothes]] being used to [[toilet flushing|flush]] [[toilets]] and to [[irrigation|water]] [[gardens]]. | ||
* Reducing losses ([[leaks]]) in the [[water distribution]] system. | * Reducing losses ([[leaks]]) in the [[water distribution]] system. | ||
* Using [[water efficient appliances]]. These are sometimes low cost (e.g. [[efficient shower heads]]) but sometimes expensive (front loading [[washing_machines]]{{wp sup|Washing_machine#Top_loading_versus_front_loading}}). | * Using [[water efficient appliances]]. These are sometimes low cost (e.g. [[efficient shower heads]]) but sometimes expensive (front loading [[washing_machines]]{{wp sup|Washing_machine#Top_loading_versus_front_loading}}). |
Revision as of 00:46, 4 April 2008
There is much talk of a coming crisis, with wars predicted over water.
However, unlike fossil fuels, water is never used up - it simply changes form. It can be returned to usable form through various water recycling options, using:
- Technology, e.g. advanced water treatment including reverse osmosis
- Natural ecosystems, e.g. through rivers and groundwater recharge, allowing the water to be reused at a later stage
- Artificial ecosystems, e.g. constructed wetlands, or
- A combination of these, e.g. an advanced water treatment plant discharging to an artificial wetland, which discharges to a river.
Water efficiency is obviously critical, including:
- Using water multiple times - e.g. water from basins, showers and washing clothes being used to flush toilets and to water gardens.
- Reducing losses (leaks) in the water distribution system.
- Using water efficient appliances. These are sometimes low cost (e.g. efficient shower heads) but sometimes expensive (front loading washing_machinesW).