This is a short (4 minute) video narrated by Leonardo diCaprio about the increasing pressure on earth's potable water supplies, and the need to act now to protect that supply for generations.
Tuesday
Monday
Winning the Water Infrastructure Battle
The staff at the Clean Water Report has issued a small booklet on what they deem the "6 Strategies for Success" in dealing with the $276 billion worth of infrastructure the U.S. Water & Wastewater industry needs over the next 20 years.
[http://www.epa.gov/safewater/needssurvey/factsheet.html#2]
The Six Strategies are:
1. Create Economies of Scale. By highlighting "cooperation among public [and] private entities", the Report finds that the multiplicity of statutes and regulations limit the ability of water systems to meet growth and drought challenges. The authors write that "to give priority to well-planned, regional projects will require the cooperation of all of the region's legislators and the governor. Without this key component, all of this work will fall apart."
In my experience, the support and cooperation must begin with the local municipality - Mayors and City Councils are the front line in meeting growth demands with limited resources. At Global Water, in Arizona, we formed Public-Private Partnerships with the cities we serve, and we signed cooperative agreements with neighboring Native American tribes; as a result monthly meetings occur between utility executives and local leaders. We share data, trend analysis, and we coordinate infrastructure planning - all in an effort to build regional water conservation into the daily life of the communities we serve.
2. Use Reclaimed Water to Fill Pressing Needs. The Report discusses the water issues in Florida, where water shortages forced policy makers to diversify the region's water supply - they relied heavily on recycling wastewater (making 'reclaimed water'). The costs were a significant obstacle, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District wound up paying half the cost of reclaimed water projects - golf courses send their bills to the District and get half their money back.
The Report also discusses Southern California's efforts, where 500,000 acre-feet have been recycled according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. The Report states that "reclaimed water is perhaps the key ingredient to meeting [a] region's water needs during a drought."
3. Tap into Sea Water and Brackish Groundwater. While there is no doubt as to the quantity of sea and brackish water, major challenges are highlighted by the authors, "Most important among these are managing desalination concentrate and predicting the long-term performance of brackish groundwater aquifers...The cost of power is [also] a major consideration...Energy costs are related directly to the salt content of the water source and - in the case of seawater desalination - may represent as much as half of a system's operational costs."
Nonetheless, the authors believe that Sea and Brackish water will increase over time, but caution that "sound water-development policies lean toward developing the lower-cost water options first and implementing the more complex and expensive ones later as the need arises."
4. Tap into Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. The US EPA provides money to each state to operate a low-interest loan program for water systems. Over the past decade, the authors report that $9.5 billion has been provided to 4,300 projects. The money is used to replace and rehabilitate aging infrastructure - which improves water quality and reliability.
5. Win Support from Clean Water State Revolving Funds. This is the wastewater version of the Drinking Water Fund in Strategy 4. The authors say that over $57 billion has been provided to fund water quality protection projects with low-interest loans.
6. Make the Case for Change. The Report emphasizes building community support with "focus groups and resident surveys" that lead to a dialogue between the utility and the community it serves. They quaote Jim Patterson of Columbus Water Works, who offers this simple and powerful advice, "Talk to the public, and let them talk back to you."
At Global Water we have conducted surveys and focus groups since 2005, and I can assure you that the feedback we have gained has absolutely changed the way we communicate, and heigtened our resolve to provide the most sustainable water system in the Desert Southwest, and to make every effort to have the most knowledgeable customers. Our website, http://www.gwresources.com/ contains all of our ads, all of our drinking water quality reports, a link to our book Total Water Management, seeks feedback from customers, and we will begin an e-newsletter this year for customers who opt-in and want to receive it.
All in all, the Clean Water Report's 6 Strategies book is a must-read for water professionals - the title of this post is the link to the order page, so click on it if you're interested.
[http://www.epa.gov/safewater/needssurvey/factsheet.html#2]
The Six Strategies are:
1. Create Economies of Scale. By highlighting "cooperation among public [and] private entities", the Report finds that the multiplicity of statutes and regulations limit the ability of water systems to meet growth and drought challenges. The authors write that "to give priority to well-planned, regional projects will require the cooperation of all of the region's legislators and the governor. Without this key component, all of this work will fall apart."
In my experience, the support and cooperation must begin with the local municipality - Mayors and City Councils are the front line in meeting growth demands with limited resources. At Global Water, in Arizona, we formed Public-Private Partnerships with the cities we serve, and we signed cooperative agreements with neighboring Native American tribes; as a result monthly meetings occur between utility executives and local leaders. We share data, trend analysis, and we coordinate infrastructure planning - all in an effort to build regional water conservation into the daily life of the communities we serve.
2. Use Reclaimed Water to Fill Pressing Needs. The Report discusses the water issues in Florida, where water shortages forced policy makers to diversify the region's water supply - they relied heavily on recycling wastewater (making 'reclaimed water'). The costs were a significant obstacle, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District wound up paying half the cost of reclaimed water projects - golf courses send their bills to the District and get half their money back.
The Report also discusses Southern California's efforts, where 500,000 acre-feet have been recycled according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. The Report states that "reclaimed water is perhaps the key ingredient to meeting [a] region's water needs during a drought."
3. Tap into Sea Water and Brackish Groundwater. While there is no doubt as to the quantity of sea and brackish water, major challenges are highlighted by the authors, "Most important among these are managing desalination concentrate and predicting the long-term performance of brackish groundwater aquifers...The cost of power is [also] a major consideration...Energy costs are related directly to the salt content of the water source and - in the case of seawater desalination - may represent as much as half of a system's operational costs."
Nonetheless, the authors believe that Sea and Brackish water will increase over time, but caution that "sound water-development policies lean toward developing the lower-cost water options first and implementing the more complex and expensive ones later as the need arises."
4. Tap into Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. The US EPA provides money to each state to operate a low-interest loan program for water systems. Over the past decade, the authors report that $9.5 billion has been provided to 4,300 projects. The money is used to replace and rehabilitate aging infrastructure - which improves water quality and reliability.
5. Win Support from Clean Water State Revolving Funds. This is the wastewater version of the Drinking Water Fund in Strategy 4. The authors say that over $57 billion has been provided to fund water quality protection projects with low-interest loans.
6. Make the Case for Change. The Report emphasizes building community support with "focus groups and resident surveys" that lead to a dialogue between the utility and the community it serves. They quaote Jim Patterson of Columbus Water Works, who offers this simple and powerful advice, "Talk to the public, and let them talk back to you."
At Global Water we have conducted surveys and focus groups since 2005, and I can assure you that the feedback we have gained has absolutely changed the way we communicate, and heigtened our resolve to provide the most sustainable water system in the Desert Southwest, and to make every effort to have the most knowledgeable customers. Our website, http://www.gwresources.com/ contains all of our ads, all of our drinking water quality reports, a link to our book Total Water Management, seeks feedback from customers, and we will begin an e-newsletter this year for customers who opt-in and want to receive it.
All in all, the Clean Water Report's 6 Strategies book is a must-read for water professionals - the title of this post is the link to the order page, so click on it if you're interested.
Tuesday
Arizona growth, in stall, expected to rebound in 2009
The Phoenix Business Journal reported on December 6th that the Phoenix Blue Chip Economic Forecast predicts that 2007 and 2008 will continue to post significant drops in housing permits, but that a 20% rebound is expected in 2009.
Also of note, 2007 will be a record year for industrial construction, and 2008 will also post strong growth in that sector.
Growth in Arizona, it seems, only slows, it never stops.
Also of note, 2007 will be a record year for industrial construction, and 2008 will also post strong growth in that sector.
Growth in Arizona, it seems, only slows, it never stops.
Orange County's $480-million Water Recycling Plan
The LA Times editorial page on December 5th praised the decision of the Orange County Water District to begin operation of a $480-million "Groundwater Replenishment System".
Orange County will "take treated wastewater - a.k.a. sewage - from an adjacent treatment plant, force it through state-of-the-art microfiltration, reverse-osmosis and ultraviolet-ray purification systems, and the dump the resulting 70 million gallons of purified water a day into a system of ponds in Anaheim, from which it will percolate into an aquifer and into the county's drinking supply."
The LA Times praised Orange County for "outgrowing its potty-humor phase" in which people's fears of "toilet to tap" water recycling prevented the sensible reuse of purified, recycled water. The Times pointed out, correctly, that "treated sewage already flows into the Colorado River, the San Joaquin River and the Sacramento River - all upstream sources of L.A.'s water. And that water, once cleaned, is perfectly safe."
Orange County's system will provide "enough water to satisfy 140,000 families each year, at a lower cost than relying on imported water".
To learn more, visit the Groundwater Replenishment System website at:
http://www.gwrsystem.com/
Orange County will "take treated wastewater - a.k.a. sewage - from an adjacent treatment plant, force it through state-of-the-art microfiltration, reverse-osmosis and ultraviolet-ray purification systems, and the dump the resulting 70 million gallons of purified water a day into a system of ponds in Anaheim, from which it will percolate into an aquifer and into the county's drinking supply."
The LA Times praised Orange County for "outgrowing its potty-humor phase" in which people's fears of "toilet to tap" water recycling prevented the sensible reuse of purified, recycled water. The Times pointed out, correctly, that "treated sewage already flows into the Colorado River, the San Joaquin River and the Sacramento River - all upstream sources of L.A.'s water. And that water, once cleaned, is perfectly safe."
Orange County's system will provide "enough water to satisfy 140,000 families each year, at a lower cost than relying on imported water".
To learn more, visit the Groundwater Replenishment System website at:
http://www.gwrsystem.com/
Australia Leads the Way on Water Recycling
The Minister for Water in Victoria, Australia announced on December 1st that Victoria was welcoming its first suburb connected to recycled water. 600 homes, two golf courses and public open spaces will all begin using recycled water for non-drinking purposes like watering, car washing and toilet flushing - reducing potable water use by one-third.
1200 more homes are expected to be built and to connect to the system; and the Water Ministry expects that over the next 25 years 40,000 hew homes will emplace 'purple pipe' systems that use recycled water for water, car washing and toilet flushing - saving 300 billion litres of water per year (79 billion gallons of water).
To read the entire media release, click on the title of this post.
1200 more homes are expected to be built and to connect to the system; and the Water Ministry expects that over the next 25 years 40,000 hew homes will emplace 'purple pipe' systems that use recycled water for water, car washing and toilet flushing - saving 300 billion litres of water per year (79 billion gallons of water).
To read the entire media release, click on the title of this post.
Friday
Peter Glieck on NPR
Peter Glieck is the co-founder of the Pacific Institute [http://www.pacinst.org/] and a major advocate for recycling water. He appeared on NPR this week [link above] and discussed the water crises facing the west.
He explains that "the opportunities to build new dams and new reservoirs [are] pretty much gone...we're going to have to re-think the way we use the existing resources we have...I actually think the 21st century is going to be, in the United States especially, a century of water management and smart use".
Mr. Gleick speaks directly to the main theme of this blog in the interview, he points out that "in the 20th century we built this water system and it brings incredibly high quality potable water to our homes, and we use it to drink and to flush our toilets and to water our lawns. It's a crazy use of a wonderful resource. And so one of the things that people are thinking about in the coming years is ways of using nonpotable water for nonpotable purposes. In new homes, for example, increasingly we're seeing homes that are what called 'dual-plumbed'. They have two sets of pipes. One brings high quality potable water to our faucets, and the other brings fairly high quality but not necessarily potable water, sometimes treated wastewater, to flush our toilets and to use on our lawns, where we don't need potable water. It's expensive to do in homes that are already plumbed, but it's not as expensive to do in new developments where we have access to two different sources of water. We're going to see more and more of that".
All I can say is amen and thank you Mr. Gleick.
He explains that "the opportunities to build new dams and new reservoirs [are] pretty much gone...we're going to have to re-think the way we use the existing resources we have...I actually think the 21st century is going to be, in the United States especially, a century of water management and smart use".
Mr. Gleick speaks directly to the main theme of this blog in the interview, he points out that "in the 20th century we built this water system and it brings incredibly high quality potable water to our homes, and we use it to drink and to flush our toilets and to water our lawns. It's a crazy use of a wonderful resource. And so one of the things that people are thinking about in the coming years is ways of using nonpotable water for nonpotable purposes. In new homes, for example, increasingly we're seeing homes that are what called 'dual-plumbed'. They have two sets of pipes. One brings high quality potable water to our faucets, and the other brings fairly high quality but not necessarily potable water, sometimes treated wastewater, to flush our toilets and to use on our lawns, where we don't need potable water. It's expensive to do in homes that are already plumbed, but it's not as expensive to do in new developments where we have access to two different sources of water. We're going to see more and more of that".
All I can say is amen and thank you Mr. Gleick.
Our Own Research into Yuck Factor
Running Arizona's fastest-growing water and wastewater utilities, during record State growth, and in the midst of 13 years of drought required my company, Global Water Resources, to rely on regional-sized water recycling systems. To date, those systems have reduced our potable water demand by more than 750 million gallons; but to get there we had to overcome what Peter Friederici calls, "The Yuck Factor".
We hired a public affairs/lobbying firm, and a well-known ad agency to assess the public's attitudes towards water recycling; and to develop outreach and education materials to change those attitudes based on facts.
To see the outreach materials, visit (http://www.gwresources.com/community-outreach.php)
We conducted two sets of polls, one in 2005, one in 2007; and we conducted several focus groups to 'get into the details' of people's concerns with water recycling. Here's what we have learned so far:
We hired a public affairs/lobbying firm, and a well-known ad agency to assess the public's attitudes towards water recycling; and to develop outreach and education materials to change those attitudes based on facts.
To see the outreach materials, visit (http://www.gwresources.com/community-outreach.php)
We conducted two sets of polls, one in 2005, one in 2007; and we conducted several focus groups to 'get into the details' of people's concerns with water recycling. Here's what we have learned so far:
- Most people don't know that water is recycled (69% didn't when we began, 57% didn't in 2007). This means that utilities and government leaders aren't doing enough to educate the public.
- With information, people become supportive of water recycling - our 2005 poll showed us that 35% of the public opposed recycled water use to flush toilets, two years into our campaign, that number is down to 14%.
- By simply explaining how we clean and treat recycled water, we doubled support for recycled water use for: golf courses, toilets, car washing, lawn watering. When we take the time to treat customer concerns seriously, and explain how processes work - people support sustainable water practices.
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