How can we sustainably manage our water resources?

WATER
Access to clean and safe
has become more and more difficult

HOW TO ACCESS?
Water is a limited and
an essential resource to life.
TARGET: to find sustainable
ways to manage water
Photo credit: http://bit.ly/12pBi0Z

LIFE
water is the basis for
Essentialto body processes of all living things.
(Class notes)
Fundamental to meet human needs.(Class notes)
Vital to maintainingspecies, populations, and ecosystems. (Class notes)
Life would be impossiblewithout water.(Raven, 2012)
Sources: P.H. Raven, D.M Hassenthal, L.R. Berg. (2012). Environment, 8th ed. John Wiley and Sons, 2012. 263-284. Print./ Class notes from lecture Water and Human Use (2014).

Humans are approximately
by body weight.
Source: P.H. Raven, D.M Hassenthal, L.R. Berg. (2012). Environment, 8th ed. John Wiley and Sons, 2012. 263-284. Print.
70%
water

About 71 %
of the Earth's surface is
WATER-COVERED
Source: USGS Water Science School – http://water.usgs.gov/edu .Photo credit: NASA - http://1.usa.gov/QCBUL6

97.5%
2.5%
is freshwater
is saltwater
not adequate for humans
LESS THAN 1%
accessible and usable FRESHWATER*represents
of all water resources in Earth
1.7%
glaciers and ice caps
is locked into
Freshwater = groundwater, ground ice and permafrost, lakes, soil moisture, wetlands, rivers, biota, and atmosphere.
Source: USGS Water Science School -http://water.usgs.gov/edu/

the cycle is dominated by
OCEAN-ATMOSPHERE
exchanges
water moves via
WATER CYCLE
Source: University of Maine – Aquarius: http://bit.ly/1yZ2xKw

more goods
O
H
M
more food
q
d
k
f
+7 billion people
overconsumption + pollution
+ economic development
+ climate change
population growth
Source: Class notes from lecture Water and Human Use (2014).

Sources: Information in the graphics were obtained from class notes from lecture Water and Human Use (2014) and UN Water (2014) - http://bit.ly/11AYkBD
Agricultural irrigation is the major use
of water, while industrial uses are
higher in developed ones.
North Europa Africa Asia
America
World South
America
Domestic Industry Agriculture
100
80
60
40
20
0

WATER SCARCITY
Physical and economic
Source: Map -FAO –Understanding water scarcity -http://bit.ly/1ljsoZb
United Nations -Secretary-General’s Message for 2013 -http://bit.ly/1qE8bmi
people lives in a country with
1 in 3
moderate or high water stress
In 2013,
the global population could be
~1/2
facing water scarcity
(Ban Ki-Moon –Secretary-General UN)
By 2030,

Photo credit: http://bit.ly/1xIJk2A
Population
Economy (agribusiness and industry)
Ecosystems and living things
water shortages
DROUGHTS

lower food
PRODUCTION
Photo credit: http://bit.ly/1yxcu1R

increasing in
DEATH RATES
Photo credit: http://bit.ly/1tT2kEz

DROUGHT
São Paulo, Brazil: a year-long

São Paulo, SP, Brazil
DROUGHT
Greater São Paulo is the most populous metropolitan area in Brazil -over 20 million people (SEADE, 2014)
Area relies on a single and shared water supply (IGEM, 2014)
Cantareira system supplies 45% of the city water needs (IGEM, 2014)
Potential people affected: 8 million
Sources: (SEADE, 2014) http://bit.ly/12pM8E3
(IGEM, 2014) http://2014.igem.org/Team:Imperial/Water_Report
Photo credit: http://bit.ly/1wlwByR
April, 2014
October, 2014

Causes:
Ineffective water management (Folha, Aug. 31, 2014)
Deforestation in the Amazon forest and changes inter-annual variability(WRI –World Resources Institute, Nov. 4, 2014)
Irregular occupation in the surroundings of the dams and spring areas (Sabesp, 2013)
Overconsumption (IGEM, 2014)
Diversion projects affecting other areas (IGEM, 2014)
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
DROUGHT
Sources: (IGEM, 2014) http://2014.igem.org/Team:Imperial/Water_Report(Sabesp, 2013) http://bit.ly/1vvE2XB(WRI –World Resources Institute, Nov. 4, 2014) http://bit.ly/1xZEiv3(Folha, Aug. 31, 2014) http://bit.ly/1vE8oGH

WATER RESOURCES?
How can we sustainably manage our

changing behavior and investing to save
WATER CONSERVATION
1) Install water-saving showerheads/faucets*
2) Install low-flush toilet
3) Fix leaky fixtures
4) Buy a high-efficiency washing machine
5) Reduce shower time + turn off the faucet
6) Wash dishes using a dishwasher (full loaded)
Source: P.H. Raven, D.M Hassenthal, L.R. Berg. (2012). Environment, 8th ed. John Wiley and Sons, 2012. 263-284. Print. Photo credit: WWF -http://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/water-scarcity

digging a well and pumping groundwater
PUMP GROUNDWATER
Benefit: immediate and mid-term solution
Drawbacks:
1) Costly implementation
2) Low water flow and poor quality
3) Higher energy bills
4) Depletion of groundwater resources
5) Compromise soil structure and quality.
Source: Class notes from lecture Water and Human Use (2014). Photo credit: http://bit.ly/1As3oYb

informing citizens to cultivate good habits
INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
Benefits:
1) Freshwater conservation
2) Can change people’s habits
3) Population saves money
Drawbacks:
1) No punishment for people who waste water
2) Lack of participation out of shortage periods
Sources P.H. Raven, D.M Hassenthal, L.R. Berg. (2012). Environment, 8th ed. John Wiley and Sons, 2012. 263-284. Print. Photo credit: http://bit.ly/1F7Z8uQ

to manage and conserve water resources
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
Short-term solutions
1) Seasonal prices for water (all sectors)
2) Severe fines for waste of water (all sectors)
3) Social games (awareness + water-conservation habits)
Mid and long-term solutions
1) Subsides for sustainable projects
2) Investments in infrastructure
3) Sustainability programs in schools
4) Policies to regulate agricultural and industrial use of water
Photo credit: http://bit.ly/1F8cUxL

THANK YOU
"Be the change you want to see in the world."
Mahatma Gandhi

How can we sustainably manage our water resources?

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