‘Cuz THAT’S how we roll!. Two big ideas this unit: Water Supply Water Pollution.
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Transcript of ‘Cuz THAT’S how we roll!. Two big ideas this unit: Water Supply Water Pollution.
Welcome – you are responsible for the
information on the board!
‘Cuz THAT’S how we roll!
Two big ideas this unit:Water SupplyWater Pollution
5 Ways to increase water availabilityBuild more damsUse more groundwaterTransfer waterDesalinate waterConserve water
“When the well is dry, we will know the worth of water.”
-Ben Franklin
Drought – the new normal?2011 – worst 12 month period of drought
recorded in Texas historyAgriculture - $5 billion lostWildfiresReservoirs down to 60% of water storage
levelsMore than 900 of the state’s 4700 water
supply systems had water restrictions
-data from Lone Star Sierran Fall-Winter 2011
Conservation successSan Antonio – pumps no more water today
than it did 20 years ago, despite the dramatic population increase in its service area in that same period of time!
Thanks to conservation!San Antonio reduced its per capita use by
more than 70 gallons.
65-70% of water used is wasted in evaporation, leaks and other losses
Power plants use water to condense steam back to water which will be cycled through again
Pivot circles are very wasteful – only 40% of water reaches plant roots
Water sensors
Water sensor on plant
Saving water at homeWhat can you do directly?
Two sides to conservationEquipment Behaviors
Where should we focus our conservation efforts?
Aerating showers and faucets
Water saving toilets or “dual flush”
Make your own!
Watering the landscape
Xeriscaping
What about recycling water? “Grey water reuse”
Use water twice! Water from sink fills toilet tank to then flush toilet.
Even the Alamo uses grey water!Grey water is being
used more in:Golf coursesSweeping streetsFighting firesParksAmenity lakes
Current Texas water reuse 2%New technology
cleans water to almost distilled quality
Eventually, 10% of water demand will come from reuse in Texas
Tradeoffs!Reuse will divert
more water from rivers.
Less water downstream for people and wildlife
Before:River home river
After:River home land
What about the behaviors?
STUFF!How do the three R’s conserve
water?
Check for understandingWhy is conservation considered the easiest way to
increase the amount of water available for use?What is the name of the wasteful agricultural
irrigation system?Name a way to save water in agriculture.Name a way to save water at home.How are YOU responsible for the amount of water
used in industry?What is grey water?How will you identify the downstream direction on
a map?
