10-04-2017, 09:02 PM
Water conservation includes all policies, strategies and activities undertaken to sustainable manage fresh water resources, protect the environment from water and meet current and future human demand. Population, household size, growth and wealth influence the amount of water used. Factors such as climate change have increased pressures on natural water resources, especially in manufacturing and agricultural irrigation. Many cities in the United States have already implemented water conservation policies with great success.
Strategies
One strategy in water conservation is to collect rainwater. Excavation of ponds, lakes, canals, expansion of water reservoir, and installation of rainwater capture ducts and filtration systems in homes are different methods of rainwater harvesting. Collected and filtered rainwater could be used for toilets, domestic gardening, lawn irrigation, and small-scale agriculture.
Another strategy in water conservation is the protection of groundwater resources. When precipitation occurs, some infiltrate the soil and go into hiding. The water in this saturation zone is called underground water. Groundwater contamination means that groundwater can not be used as a fresh drinking water source and the natural regeneration of contaminated groundwater can take years to recover. Examples of potential sources of groundwater contamination include storage tanks, septic systems, uncontrolled hazardous wastes, landfills, air pollutants, chemicals, and road salts. Groundwater pollution decreases replenishment of available fresh water so taking preventive measures by protecting the groundwater resources that form the contamination is an important aspect of water conservation.
An additional strategy for water conservation is the practice of sustainable methods of utilization of groundwater resources. Groundwater flows due to gravity and, finally, discharges into streams. Excess pumping of groundwater leads to a decrease in groundwater levels and if continued can deplete the resource. Groundwater and surface water are connected and overuse of groundwater can reduce and, in extreme cases, decrease the water supply of lakes, rivers and streams. In coastal regions, the pumping of groundwater can increase the intrusion of salt water, resulting in contamination of the groundwater supply. The sustainable use of groundwater is essential for water conservation.
A key component of the water conservation strategy is the communication and education of the different water programs. The development of a communication that educates land managers, policy makers, farmers and the general public is another important strategy used in water conservation. Communicating the science of how water systems work is an important aspect when creating a management plan to conserve that system and is often used to ensure the right management plan to be put into action.
Business Applications
Many water-saving devices (such as low-flushing toilets) that are useful in homes can also be useful for saving business water. Other water-saving technologies for businesses include:
Urinals without water
Car wash without water
Infrared or pedal faucets, which can save water by small bursts of water to rinse in a kitchen or bathroom
Pressurized water sprayers, which can be used instead of hoses to clean sidewalks
X-ray film processor recirculation systems
Cooling Tower Conductivity Controllers
Water-saving steam sterilizers for use in hospitals and health centers
Rainwater harvesting
Water to water heat exchanger.