Our Impending Water Crisis

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by SCGranny

Me, I'm in favor of improved desalinization technology - the world is 3/4 water, after all.

Saudi Arabia has 70% of its domestic water supply available through desalination. It is as dry as the desert southwest, but Riyadh is about as far from salt water as are cities like Phoenix and Tucson. Water is pumped up about 3000' to Riyadh as well. I think that Phoenix is closer if you count the Gulf of California, but I didn't check on it, could be mistaken.

Although some desert cities don't currently need more water, I'm sure they will explore this option if the need arises. Right now the need is not there.

Also, I read that Saudi Arabia had commissioned a new plant to desalinate a billion liters of water per day, or around 250 million gallons. In comparison, the Milwaukee Water Works, which serves over 15 communities, and over a million people, only provides 103 million gallons a day (100 gallons per capita, but no pools or irrigation). In a desert climate in the US, with use comparable to Phoenix, AZ, a 250 million GPD water supply should serve about 1.25 million people.

[Ticatica]

Originally Posted by Ecovlke

Ahhh, I remember now hearing things about the water tied to the wind farms in the Pickens Plan. I didn't have details and the Carney article was great! Those articles were in 08', and I'll have to dig around and see if I can find any updates on this. I hadn't followed it.

Thanks for posting.

Don't worry he scrapped the plan.

EconomicPolicyJournal.com: Pickens' Pulls Plug on Major Windmill Project: Turns Out to Be All Hot Air

"He might place some of the turbines on other property he is leasing in Texas, but he's also looking for smaller wind projects to participate in. He said he's looking at potential sites in the Midwest and Canada"

[Joke Insurance]

Originally Posted by Wicked Felina

Agreed. But there won't be enough water around to give it away.

Long story, but I knew a young scientist (wildlife biologist) who is already working on solutions for the Pacific Northwest; he is assigned to protect the water/fishing rights of Native Americans in Alaska, Washington, Oregon and northern California. I learned that the Pacific Northwest will become the main source of food for the US.

BTW, the projection of war over water rights is heavily integratd into these plans of action that he (and numerous others) are working on.

Can you elaborate more on this? I'd love to read about it.

Originally Posted by Wicked Felina

I learned that the Pacific Northwest will become the main source of food for the US.

This too.