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13 July 2013

Solutions To Water Crisis

By Laurie J. Storm


California is one of the most heavily populated regions in the United States, and requires a tremendous amount of water. Unfortunately, most of California is arid, with little in the way of local water resources. Los Angeles and the farms of the Inland Empire are sustained with water that is imported, whether it is from distant snow packs or the Colorado River. Unfortunately, the California water crisis has demonstrated that the demand for clean water is rapidly out pacing available supplies.

The Rise of Demand in California As California has continued to grow, the demand for potable water has radically increased. This is not simply for drinking, as industry, farming, and recreation all require vast amounts of H2O. Lush and green golf courses, gardens and landscapes all demand extensive watering, especially when they use plants that are not native to California's arid conditions.

While the world's population tripled in the 20th century, the use of renewable water resources has grown six-fold. Within the next fifty years, the world population will increase by another 40 to 50 %. This population growth, coupled with industrialization and urbanization, will result in an increasing demand for water and will have serious consequences on the environment. Thus, the water crisis would continue to heighten.

Yes, it seems rather funny that we live on a planet which is covered two thirds by water, but most of it is salt water, and there is only 2.5% which is fresh water, and that includes groundwater, the water in rivers, lakes, underground, and in reservoirs. Also, unfortunately it is not evenly distributed, and it certainly is a distributed the way human populations are around the globe.

Smart Water Use and Beating the Crisis With the inability to increase supply, California must reduce its demand, especially in the face of a growing urban and rural population. The most effective way this can be achieved is by the use of various water conservation strategies in order to meet the California water crisis head-on.

These techniques can include the following: a) Using native Californian plants to reduce H2O usage for landscaping. b) Replacing older plumbing systems with modern efficient toilets, showers and washing machines. c) Watering lawns at dusk and nighttime rather than watering them during the day. d) Minimizing the use of H2O for unnecessary purposes such as washing cars or driveways.

Creating a Sustainable Water Use Policy By avoiding the overuse of water, Californians can beat the California water crisis and ensure that the state retains sufficient reserves for its current and future needs. Creating a sustainable strategy for water usage and securing the state's future is a mission that requires the assistance of every California citizen.




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