Recommendation Report on Water Provision Methods at St. Osyth - Essay Example

?Recommendation Report on Water Provision Methods at St. Osyth Recommendation Report on Water Provision Methods at St. Osyth Introduction St. Osyth is one of the areas considered officially the driest. This area although considered arid, receives certain levels of torrential downpour of rainfall (Dolnicar and Schafer, 2009; p. 23). Alternative ways of providing water t-o people living in this area is necessary so as to eliminate problems associated with water scarcity such as starvation and dehydration. This report is a recommendation of the best ways to provide water in these arid areas for the people around there (Funamizu et al, 2008; p. 15). The participants in this investigation were drawn from different t sectors in order to understand how the geographical limits would be combated in order to deliver effective provision of water. Background information St. Osyth in the coastal strip of East Anglia in Britain was identified as one of the areas that require recommendations of efficient water supply. Off0icially, it is the driest area in Britain with an annual rainfall of 20.20 in (513mm). As such, two ways of water provisions were selected for analysis and comparison in order to identify if whether both can be alternatively applied or if only one can be adopted for success of solving water shortage and crisis that often characterized these regions. These investigation and its consequent recommendations follow a long list of studies that have been done in identifying the problems associated with water supply and sanitation and that also face the OECD countries. However, several problems have been identified with regard to water supply and sanitation in general. The major problem has always been the balance of cost and sustainability with regard to water supply infrastructure. Socio-economic changes have also contributed to the total unit cost of water supply (Funamizu et al, 2008; p. 55). Two major ways of water provision emanate in this course. They can either be interchangeably applied or used in a successive manner with one-way complementing the other (Dolnicar and Schafer, 2009; p. 46). These two axes of water supply include infrastructure that entails centralized or decentralized water supply and the second category describes used water in which fresh water either single or alternative sources may be applied. Water provision typology Decentralized versus Centralized infrastructure Decentralized water provision infrastructure describes a local source of water and is also treated locally. At St. Osyth, wells can be dug in large scale in order to provide water at the local levels for use. The area administration should take it upon itself to commission a couple of large wells that have the potentials of producing enough water that can sustain the demand. The harvest of grey water which describes the recycling of non-industrial waste water, majorly a product of the domestic usage can be put into good use. The water is harvest treated and stored to feed the demand when the levels of water in the wells go down. According to USEPA, this non-industrial water is undrinkable but can fit efficiently in flushing of toilets, farm irrigation and other necessary purposes apart from drinking. Decentralized water infrastructure also includes the reclamation of water. Reclaimed water refers to originally waste water but which been subjected to different levels of treatment in order to remove certain water impurities and solid waste. This water can be used for fire suppression, dust control and most importantly irrigation. When highly advanced treatment methods are applied, the reclaimed water can be used for more potable use such discharging the water into another water body before being utilized in other potable systems (Dolnicar and Schafer, 2009; p. 83). Centralized Fresh water Rain and storm water, reclaimed and grey water may be described under decentralized infrastructure but can also be identified as a singly different way of providing water at St.Osyth. However, in this case the most important consideration is the centralized water provision (Dolnicar and Schafer, 2009; p. 67). In this case it requires the installation of large water systems with big containers, besides those one installed for collecting rain water from the roofs. In this system, water is transported and emptied into the water system installed in the area. It requires huge Lorries and tankers that the administration or the government needs to provide. Water is then transported on regular basis after certain intervals in order to ensure that water is distributed continuously (Freedman and Hotchkies, 2007; p. 79). A central point is established with sufficient system in which water is often put. Piping system and powerful generators are required to be installed so as to enhance the conveyance of water from the central source to various other subsystems, where individual installation may take place. It is important that the government observe that it is mandate to ensure that the citizens enjoy water supply services alongside sanitation; hence a huge investment in such a process should not be regretted. It is a service to the nation and an entitlement to be enjoyed (Jimenez and Asano, 2008; p. 34). Pros and cons of these water provision systems The operating costs and investment in these systems of water provisions differ significantly. There are scarce data that show that absolute ranking of water systems based on costs is not available. Water reuse and decentralization of water systems requires effective administration and efficient regulations that ensure that water is sufficiently provided. Although. Alternative water systems are cost effective, the problem lies on their reliability (Hiessl ett al, 2005; p. 68). In arid areas or even semi-arid areas for instance, rainfall is almost unavailable but in the event it rains, only torrential down pour is experienced. As such it is not effective to install ways of collecting alternative water sources most especially rain water. What is however acknowledged about water reclamation and recycling is that, it ensures that no recyclable water goes to waste. They provide readily available water sources that can be used for various non-potable purposes. The only concern is that this limits the availability of potable water source in that reclaimed or recycled water cannot be used for potable purposes (Dolnicar and Schafer, 2009; p. 34). On the other hand, centralized systems of water provisions are to some extent cost ineffective. From this model, it is clear that the government or the stakeholders would have to invest heavily on the conveyance of water. It requires huge capital investment. That in most cases may not be sustainable in certain economies. However, it results in the availability of fresh and potable water source that can be used majorly for domestic purposes (Franceys, 2007; p. 57). A balance is therefore necessary whether to view cost against necessity or to achieve both. It is important that the later applies through an effective system that ensures water is provided, and the cost of provision is also effective. The recommendations above require that St. Osyth be provided with enough water supplies despite the dryness that is experienced in that area in many occasions. It is important that the value of human life with regard to water provision be at the front line of consideration against the cost of installation, though the cost is also important to be balanced for sustainability (Freedman and Hotchkies, 2007; p. 27). Decentralized infrastructure of water provision appears cost effective and may be applied effectively in the area. When several wells are dug in different parts of the interior parts of St. Osyth, many people are capable of accessing water resources. Pumping and piping of water from wells can reach many households at short periods of time (Funamizu et al, 2008; p. 24). List of References DOLNICAR, S. and SCHAFER, A.I (2009). Desalinated Versus Recycled Water: Public Perceptions and Profiles of the Accepters, Journal of Environmental Management, 90, pp.888-9000 FRANCEYS, R. (2007). Innovative Business Models for Water Supply and Sanitation, presentation at the OECD expert meeting on Sustainable Financing for Affordable Water Services, Paris. FREEDMAN, J. and HOTCHKIES J.W. (2007). presentation at the OECD expert meeting on Sustainable Financing for Affordable Water Services, November 2007. available at http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/38/53/40015778.pdf) FUNAMIZU N., ONITSUKA, S. and HATORI, T. (2008), Water Reuse in Japan, in Jimenez B., T. Asano (eds., 2008), Water Reuse. An International Survey of Current Practice, Issues and Needs, Science and Technological report n°20, IWA Publishing, London. Hiessl H., Walz, D. and Toussaint R. (2005). Design and Sustainability Assessment of Scenarios of Urban Water Infrastructure Systems, Fraunhofer Institute Systems and Innovation Research (ISI), Karlsruhe, Germany Jimenez B. and Asano T. (eds., 2008), Water Reuse. 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