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*[[Water supply network]]<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drinking_water#Access This wikipedia section was written by KVDP]</ref> | *[[Water supply network]]<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drinking_water#Access This wikipedia section was written by KVDP]</ref> | ||
== | ==Global water usage== | ||
{{Main|Green living}} | |||
A major factor of sustainable living involves that which no human can live without, [[water]]. Unsustainable water usage has far reaching implications for humankind. Currently, humans use one-fourth of the earth’s total water in natural circulation, and over half the accessible runoff{{w|Surface runoff}}.<ref name="Hawken, Paul 1999">Hawken, Paul, Amory Lovins, and L. Hunter Lovins. ''Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution''. New York City: Little, Brown and Company, 1999. Print.</ref> Additionally, [[population growth]] and water demand is ever increasing. Thus, it is necessary to use available water more efficiently. | |||
The classic solution with minimal life-style changes for obtaining water in a [[autonomous house]] is by using a [[water well|well]]. Once drilled, a well-foot requires substantial power. However, advanced well-foots can reduce power usage by twofold or more from older models. Well water can be contaminated in some areas. The [[sono arsenic filter]] eliminates unhealthy [[arsenic]] in well water. | The classic solution with minimal life-style changes for obtaining water in a [[autonomous house]] is by using a [[water well|well]]. Once drilled, a well-foot requires substantial power. However, advanced well-foots can reduce power usage by twofold or more from older models. Well water can be contaminated in some areas. The [[sono arsenic filter]] eliminates unhealthy [[arsenic]] in well water. | ||
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==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Sewage collection|Sewage system]]: most systems (in the developed world) use a combined sewage/potable water system | * [[Sewage collection|Sewage system]]: most systems (in the developed world) use a combined sewage/potable water system | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
Revision as of 11:40, 25 October 2012
Although covering some 70% of the Earth's surface, most water is saline. Freshwater is available in almost all populated areas of the earth, although it may be expensive and the supply may not always be sustainable. Sources where water may be obtained include:
- ground sources such as groundwater, hyporheic zones and aquifers.
- precipitation which includes rain, hail, snow, fog, etc (see rainwater harvesting) Even humid air can be used as a source for water, see Fof nets and Atmospheric water generator (the latter extracts moisture from dry desert air and filters it to pure water).
- surface water such as rivers, streams, glaciers
- biological sources such as plants (See Gathering water from plants) and animals (urine)
- the sea through desalination
- Water supply network[1]
Global water usage
A major factor of sustainable living involves that which no human can live without, water. Unsustainable water usage has far reaching implications for humankind. Currently, humans use one-fourth of the earth’s total water in natural circulation, and over half the accessible runoffW.[2] Additionally, population growth and water demand is ever increasing. Thus, it is necessary to use available water more efficiently.
The classic solution with minimal life-style changes for obtaining water in a autonomous house is by using a well. Once drilled, a well-foot requires substantial power. However, advanced well-foots can reduce power usage by twofold or more from older models. Well water can be contaminated in some areas. The sono arsenic filter eliminates unhealthy arsenic in well water.
However drilling a well is an uncertain activity, with aquifers depleted in some areas. It can also be expensive.
In regions with sufficient rainfall, it is often more economical to design a building to use rain, with supplementary water deliveries in a drought. Rain water makes excellent soft washwater, but needs antibacterial treatment. If used for drinking, mineral supplements or mineralization is necessary.[3]
Notes and references
See also
- Sewage system: most systems (in the developed world) use a combined sewage/potable water system
External links
- ↑ This wikipedia section was written by KVDP
- ↑ Hawken, Paul, Amory Lovins, and L. Hunter Lovins. Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution. New York City: Little, Brown and Company, 1999. Print.
- ↑ WHO | Nutrient minerals in drinking-water and the potential health consequences of consumption of demineralized and remineralized and altered mineral content drinking-water: Consensus of the meeting