Energy Demands Leave Freshwater Resources Feeling the Impact

This article describes the impact of global energy demand on freshwater resources around the globe. Today, the goals of energy policies are to prevent greenhouse gas emissions being released into the atmosphere…but what these policies don’t take into consideration is the fact that petroleum demand drives freshwater resource consumption internationally, whereas gas and electricity demand drives freshwater resource consumption nationally. This international demand puts pressure on water resources in regions where water is deemed scarce right now. The article states that these water scare regions should be considered when policies are being designed in order to ensure the security of freshwater and energy supply. I believe that this is important in relation to water management for many reasons. It is important that when international policies are thought up, ALL aspects and places and things need to be taken into consideration to ensure positive outcomes for all. Of course, not every single thing will be able to be accommodated in certain situations, but it should at least be thought of and attempted to be accommodated…especially when it comes to freshwater. The international demand for freshwater means water wars, and places that are already experiencing droughts and a scarcity of freshwater and now literally being robbed of everything they have. Therefore “it is important to understand…the role of international trade in driving pressures on freshwater resources is key to meeting these challenges”.

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University of Southampton. (2015, November 16). Global energy demand has adverse effects on freshwater resources of less developed regions. Phys Org. Retrieved from http://phys.org/news/2015-11-global-energy-demand-adverse-effects.html

Hospitals in South Africa out of Water?

Provinces within South Africa have been experiencing severe droughts. These droughts have caused water reserves to run dry, and taps to stop dripping. This article talks about not just one, but TWO hospitals in Gauteng running out of water. It states that on Wednesday, November 11, Joburg Water (The city of Johannesburg’s water supplier) deployed water tankers to the two hospitals, which were left without water for most of the day. The hospitals believe that the lack of water was because of the pressure of pumping water from one side of the hospital building to the other. Not having water at hospitals is an issue for multiple reasons such as surgeries, and dialysis needs. The patients who were in need of dialysis were sent to other facilities, and non-emergency surgeries were postponed. This article relates to Water Resources and Management, because it goes to show that there are places experiencing severe droughts and in need of a large supply of water such as these hospitals, and these places may not have the proper infrastructure needed to supply water to important facilities such as hospitals. These places need to prepare for times where they may experience water shortages as a result of droughts. The article states that this problem has been resolved in the mean time and Joburg Water will supply more water tankers to the hospital if need be.

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Whittles, G., & Bendile, D. (2015, November 12). Water Issues at 2 Gauteng Hospitals Resolved – MEC. Eyewitness News. Retrieved from http://ewn.co.za/2015/11/12/Water-cuts-at-two-Gauteng-hospitals-resolved-says-MEC

Las Vegas Winter Water Restrictions

Water restrictions are becoming more familiar to different places all over the world. Las Vegas Valley is an area that uses a lot of water, mainly to attract tourists. The winter months cause the Valley to have a water restriction, meaning that landscape watering (including drop irrigation) are now limited to one assigned day during the week until February 29, 2016. This article goes on to tell readers that the day is actually assigned, and you can look that up on your own time…or you can find it on your own water bill. The time of day for watering is not restricted, but the government encourages residents to space out the watering times in one-hour intervals during the mid-morning hours. The purpose of this is that the temperature during this time should be above freezing and that will help the soil absorb more water and will help to avoid excess waste runoff. I believe that the water restrictions are a good thing for the Las Vegas Valley, because water is not abundant in the world, and humans (especially in Las Vegas) use more at a faster pace than can be replenished. I believe that the government is also doing a good thing by encouraging water use at a certain time, because it helps to conserve the water…although not everyone may be able to do it at that time. We learned in class today that conserving water is important, and making restrictions may put a toll in our every day uses, and may make our grass look brown, but it will be worth it in order to conserve our freshwater throughout the world. This will help residents not waste any water, especially when a drought occurs where 90% of your water is coming from!

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Brean, H. (2015, November 4). Las Vegas winter water restrictions now in effect. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved from http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/las-vegas-winter-water-restrictions-now-effect

Azerbaijan Solves Water Problems

Azerbaijan is a country that is directly in between Western Asia and Eastern Europe. It has always suffered water shortages and uneven distributions, and now Azerbaijan relies on water from outside of the country to supply it’s residents. This article states that freshwater supply has always been a priority within the country, and finally this issue has been handled…hopefully! At the end of October, an ultrafiltration water purification facility complex was opened. The facility is able to hold 570,000 cubic metres of water per day, and once all of the water has gone through the process, it is transmitted to consumers via pipeline. This facility complex is now bringing regular and high-quality water to the residents of Baku (Azerbaijan’s capital) and those in the Absheron Peninsula. The article states that this is a great historic event because from now on, Baku will be receiving clean water, and will now fully meet the standards of the World Health Organization. It is projects such as this one, the Hamilton Harbour one (we learned in class) and many others, that we see great progress towards a better world, whether it be providing water to communities, as water is a right, or cleaning up a body of water in which our drinking water comes from. All in all, these actions are going to be costly, but when the public is involved and aware, there is greater potential for positive and historic outcomes such as the new water facility for Azerbaijan, allowing for fresh and clean drinking water.

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Orujova, N. (2015, October 29). Azerbaijan solves water supply problems. AzerNews. Retrieved from http://www.azernews.az/azerbaijan/89247.html