Action Plan
Water: a colorless, transparent, odorless liquid that forms the seas, lakes, and rivers, and is the basis of the fluids of living organisms
I, for one, am no stranger to water. I've drank it, swam in it, cooked with it, bathed in it, etc. Yet, I hadn't realized that my experience regarding water was not the same as others. Perhaps, I might have overestimated just how accessible water is to other people.
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My overall water usage in comparison to the nation.
As seen in my graph, I live in California. I decided to take it upon myself and see just how much water the top three cities with the least amount of water in California have.
Fresno: Groundwater is crucial to Fresno's agriculture-based economy since it is used for irrigation. This dependency has resulted in excessive groundwater pumping over time, which has lowered the water table and depleted aquifers. The decline in groundwater levels has made it more difficult to obtain this essential source of water.
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Bakersfield: Their excessive groundwater extraction has resulted in land subsidence, in which aquifers and underground sinks are exhausted. This sinking can exacerbate problems with water scarcity by causing damage to houses and other infrastructure, as well as lowering the carrying capacity of water storage tanks.
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Ridgecrest: Ridgecrest is located in California's Mojave Desert, which is distinguished by its dry environment and little vegetation. Since there is little precipitation in the Mojave Desert, water supplies are naturally limited in this part of California.
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Clearly, this is a huge issue that needs to be resolved immediately. The only questions is, what exactly can we do to help resolve it? After all, California is known to be one of the more prominent states in which droughts occur and some of these areas are primarily in the desert.
Description providing a comparison between three places ( Fresno, Bakersfield, and Ridgecrest) and their water usage versus California
What may be some ways for the cities to help maintain a good amount of water while still continuing their industries that rely on water?
Greywater Recycling
Greywater recycling involves capturing and treating wastewater from sinks, showers, and laundry for reuse in irrigation and other non-potable applications.
Studies indicate that greywater recycling can reduce household water usage by up to 50%, leading to substantial water savings over time.
Smart Irrigation Systems
Smart irrigation systems utilize sensors and weather data to optimize watering schedules, reducing water waste and promoting efficient landscape irrigation.
Research demonstrates that smart irrigation systems can reduce outdoor water usage by 30-50%, resulting in considerable water savings for agricultural and landscaping purposes.
Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping involves designing landscapes that require minimal water inputs by utilizing drought-tolerant plants, mulch, and efficient irrigation systems.
Research indicates that xeriscaping can reduce outdoor water usage by 50-75%, leading to significant water savings and resilience to drought conditions.
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting involves collecting and storing rainwater for various uses, including landscape irrigation, toilet flushing, and non-potable indoor applications.
Research indicates that rainwater harvesting can reduce outdoor water usage by up to 90%, leading to significant water savings and reduced reliance on municipal water supplies
Water Leak Detection and Repair
Water leak detection involves the use of technology such as sensors and monitoring systems to identify and repair leaks in plumbing infrastructure, thereby reducing water waste.
Research indicates that addressing water leaks can reduce household water usage by 10-20%, resulting in significant water savings and cost benefits for homeowners and municipalities.
California VS The United States of America
Although I had mentioned cities where the reasoning behind water scarcity was because of forces regarding geography and climate, issues such as socioeconomic status may also contribute to drinking water not being offered to certain communities.
Vox News
Michigan
Lead pollution in water for consumption became a national problem after the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Cost-cutting efforts resulted in the usage of acidic water obtained from the Flint River, which allowed lead contaminants to escape from outdated pipes into the water supply in Flint, a municipality with a large African American population.
North Carolina
In North Carolina, communities of minority and economically disadvantaged people, especially those living in rural areas, confront issues with tainted drinking water. Communities close to manufacturing facilities, hog farms, and coal ash ponds are affected by water contamination .
Louisiana
In addition to an abundance of manufacturing enterprises and chemical factories, communities in Louisiana, especially in the "Cancer Alley" section along the banks of the Mississippi River, confront environmental justice challenges. Pollution of the air and water affect these communities, causing health issues and environmental damage.
Overall, being able to learn about the impact that water makes on communities and how much of a role it truly plays in our societies was very eye-opening. Being able to learn about environmental justice and water helped increase my awareness and comprehension of the intricate relationships that exist between fairness in society, ecological sustainability, and the health of society. It made it easier for me to understand how environmental risks disproportionately affect underprivileged areas and how structural injustices are at the root of these inequities.