What Is the Global Water Crisis?
A water crisis is a situation where the available potable, unpolluted water within a region is less than that region's demand.What Water Issues Do We Face In the US?
- The main water issue we face in the US is a water shortage. Our H2O supplies are drying up, and we are losing the ability to hydrate the citizens of America. In fact, our government projects at least 36 states will face water shortages within five years. These shortages are caused by combination of rising temperatures, drought, population growth, urban sprawl, waste and excess.
- This issue partly stems from Georgia, where an epic drought threatens the water supply for millions of Americans. Droughts are also shrinking the Great Lakes, as well as New York's reservoirs. Along with droughts, rising temperatures are causing the Sierra Nevada snowpack to melt faster each year. Combine all these factors with an expanding population and you have a serious issue on your hand.
- Another issue the U.S. is facing when it comes to water is pollution. Our country is struggling with keeping our fresh water sources sanitized, threating the drinking water for millions. Some causes of this pollution include disinfection by-products, lead, perchlorates, pharmaceutical substances, and sewer overflows.
- A final issue our country faces with water is its rising cost. Due to an increase in water scarcity, H2O is becoming exceedingly valuable, raising its cost. Americans now have to be concerns about the affordability of water for the poorer citizens of the U.S.
CBS Where America Stands On Drinking Water
NBC Nightly News: U.S. Water Shortages
Sources:
www.nbcnews.com
www.cbsnews.com
By: Franny Nazzarine
Research from a clean water source: Solutions:
- Impact Nations has come up with a water filter that at $65 a piece, can clean water continuously for 2-3 families. They also make water tanks and water collection systems.
- The people from water.org say the people in the area of crisis know best how to solve the problems. They form partnerships with locals and help come up with and fund projects with them. They want the community to be at the center of the project and feel as if they are in control so they can get involved.
- Africa Needs came up with the idea of a solar powered well that is environmentally friendly and doesn’t require human power to get it to run. How it works is, a pump powered by the sun pumps water from the ground through a series of pipes that cleans it, and then put it into a tank. From there the villagers can just turn a handle and get clean water from the faucet.
- Another solution is the merry go round pump which was the one in the Jay-Z video. It works just like the sun pump but is pumped by kids who play on a big spinning thing like similar to a playground toy, so the kids have fun playing on it while pumping water.
- Hope for water wants to help by going to the source and repairing broken pumps, drilling new wells, and then teaching the natives how to use these things and how to keep water sanitary, so that they can sustain the pumps and water themselves and create a permanent solution. They believe that the by teaching the people the problem is affecting, they will create their own solutions, and keep things under control.
Sources:
www.Hopeforwater.org
www.impactnations.com
By: James Grau
The Water Crisis on a Global Perspective:
Did You Know?
- Every 21 seconds, a child dies from a water-related illness
- Worldwide, women spend 200 million hours a day collecting water. This is equivalent to building 28 Empire State Buildings a day
- More people have a phone than a toilet
- 10 million people don’t have water access in developed countries
- 345 million people don’t have water access in Africa alone
- “The water and sanitation crisis claims more lives through disease than war claims through guns.”
- 3 things most of the world can’t do: 1) take a shower, 2) get clean water from the tap, 3) flush the toilet
- Diarrhea is the leading cause of death for children around the world because of lack of proper sanitation
- The water crisis is not an issue of scarcity, it’s an issue of access
Sources:
By: Madeline Anderson
Why don't these governments simply install a water system in these countries so everyone has clean drinking water?
ReplyDeleteWhat does the government do about the water pollution in the US?
ReplyDeleteThey set up giant lists of water quality standards that have to be followed!
DeleteDo you believe we will ever face the same struggle for water in America like other countries do today?
ReplyDeleteNot to the same extent, no, because the water system in the United States is high priority in our sustainability as a country. Since the water crisis is an issue of accessibility, not scarcity, in this definition, our accessibility as a country will remain very high because of our water filtration systems, money, and economic power.
DeleteHow are people attempting to lower water costs, if an attempt is being made?
ReplyDeleteWhat water source is the cleanest in the United States?
ReplyDeleteI'm a little confused. The first sentence indicates that the main water issue we face in the US is a water shortage. However, the last sentence states that the water crisis is not an issue of scarcity, it’s an issue of access. Please clarify.
ReplyDeleteAlso, any push for reduce, reuse and recycle when it comes to conserving the water source?
How long is this global water crisis expected to last? Great blog by the way
ReplyDeleteWhy is kentucky believed to have a major water shortage soon compared to larger states?
ReplyDeleteHow much money does it cost to install one purifying water system and how many would be needed per country?
ReplyDeleteKenny, it depends on where you are talking about. Water shortage in the US, access to clean water in other areas. I am also curious about the KY shortage. I have not heard that before this year.
ReplyDelete