Techniques for Providing Water to Arid Regions - Report Example

Techniques for Providing Water to Arid Regions Introduction Research shows that close to 30% of the world’s population remains populated with the arid and semi arid areas. In such situations, the chief deterrent to socioeconomic development in most of the arid areas appears to be the water shortage problem. South Africa comes in play as one of the driest areas of the world, having unevenly distributed resources. The situation of South Africa implies that; close to five million individuals of the population endures hardship when trying to access safe drinking water while 15 million people lack the basic sanitation. The lack of water situation further, pose a problem to the society as; a minimum of 1.6 million children aged below five years dies annually due to the water shortage problem globally. The report seeks to analyze the viability of different techniques in an effort to supply pure drinking water to the South African population. The report also comprises different options presented in the process of trying to enhance the water resources in arid areas, with comparisons that aim at concluding and pinpointing on the best technique in terms of efficiency and feasibility (Drewes, 2012). Background South Africa is known to have experienced various disasters including apartheid and diseases such as aids and tuberculosis pandemics. Today, South Africa experiences an absolute new crisis situation in accessing profusion of water with drinkable properties. The reasons behind this water crisis include climate changes and water pollution. Changes in climate seem to affect the water levels leading to scarce water levels. Further, water project report that took place in 2010 confirms that; the water levels of Durban usually lower at a given rate of 20% on since the begging of the year 2010. Additionally, the situation of population accelerates the problem through the mining plants situated in South Africa. The plants release toxins in accompaniment with radioactive waste, which leads to disastrous waste release into the African rivers. The toxin elements released into the rivers includes elements like arsenic, uranium and even mercury (El-Ghonemy, 2012) The toxin elements end up posing as a challenge as they react violently, contaminating the water. The situation increases the acidity levels of water to 2.2 pH values; which competes with that of a lemon. A proper example of a polluted area include; one of the biggest rivers in South Africa, the Wonderfrontein Spruit River. The river has been undergone extreme pollution resulting from 50 tons of Uranium dumped in the river. The same case applies to Lake Robinson which; harbors most fishing conducted in the region. The past two years have experienced a significant rise of lack safe water to drink owing to the increase level of urbanization and industrialization (Gebrekidan, 2013). Treatment of water before release by industries The population reports to be increasing to at least 3.4% between the periods 1970 with 17.69 to 1995 with 38.52. The population can be predicted to rise to 2025 by the year 2025 which, is a 20 5 increase rate with the trend. Curriculum seems to have improvised on the strategies that ensure reduced leakage at the networking points of domestic water. The strategies apply both at irrigation levels, and industrial water use to treat their waters before release to the dams and other water sources. Water management have incorporated rules intended, aimed at reducing water demands and losses. Through, uncontrolled water leakages the shallow water tables formation and the infection level of shallow and deep aquifers accelerate (Taghvaeian et al 2012). Extreme pumping from areas of local aquifers to cope with the increasing demand in urban water results into reduced levels in the water tables. The situation appears vulnerable as it worsens the quality of water retrieved from the ground. The demand can be attained with proper hefty rates of pumping for the local aquifers to cope with the increasing levels of urban water demand. The situation tends to worsen the quality of ground water as; hefty pumping measures results into stream depletion (Drewes 2012). Increased urbanization leads to increased levels of demand for water and sanitation. The construction of additional costly desalination also proves to be a challenge. Hence, the situation requires intervention by new and modern legislations coupled with industrial actions. In advanced techniques, re use and reduction in water productions seems like ways of reducing the increasing rates of water demands (Gebrekidan, 2013). Pumping of ground water through water privatization Margaret Thatcher’s government assumed the practice of water privatization during the year1989. The government privatized ten formerly known public regions and sewage companies in Wales and England in times of disinvestment. In uniform, OFWAT, an economic regulatory body came into existence. The drinking water Inspectorate came into existence in the year 199o to ensure the quality of water and safety. Since that period, water issue has remained controversial in England and Wales. The study conducted by the public service international research unit’s reports reduced tariffs and increased profits by 50%. Privatisation facilitated the signing off of the industry’s debt worth £4.95 billion. Privatization columnists later the year 1997 brought forward disputes over inadequate sewer system amongst other infrastructures. Critics later viewed that; OFWAT, decided to choose privatization over assured service levels (Gebrekidan, 2013). On the other hand, the World Bank disagrees with the reforms stating that; the investment on privatization was $ 17b and 9.3 billion respectively. The situation has resulted into a significant increase in privatization. The situation results from conformity attained through the utilization of drinking water standards. England and Wales comprises of 16 smaller company privately owned from the time marked the 19th century. In Northern Ireland and Scotland, the water and sewerage services remain under public ownership (Drewes 2012). Desalination Desalination involves turning sea water into drinking water. In the United Kingdom, the first desalination plant in the United Kingdom came into existence in June 2010. The capacities of desalination plants changes to 1000 70 789 864 meters cubed per day. The period between 1990 and the year1997; the levels of water production was about 33% in domestic production and 38 % in industrial settings. It is estimated that desalination production will amount to 54 % of the total production in both industrial and domestic use in the year 2025 (Taghvaeian et al 2012). The RO plants require mechanical energy created by pumps that operates using electricity. Electricity of close to 3.5-9 KW produces on one cubic meter of desalinated sea water. The energy needed relies heavily on the level of salinity of the water input. The efficiency of the pump and the plant design also affect the amount of electricity required. One single plant with high efficiency level requires close to 4Kw h/m3 and 0.5-2.5 Kwh/m3 in the production of one cubic meter with a reasonable quality of water from sea water abs salty ground water as seen below. In cases when the water has a low level of salinity, the low pressure membrane can be used to lessen the energy consumption level by (25-40) % (Abudu et al 2011). During the process water attained from the sea is tapped into the pumping station as shown below. The water tapped undergoes pre-treatment before its release to the reverse osmosis stage 1. The sea water at this stage is concentrated at this juncture. Some of the impurities are removed before it is moved to the next levels. The procedure continues to stage two of reverse osmosis after which the water is released to the post treatment. The water realized at the post treatment stage is clean and safe for human consumption hence its release to the delivery pumps. The delivery pump is responsible for taking the realized clean water for domestic and industrial consumption (Taghvaeian 2012). Conclusion The use of ground water pumping and water privatization leads to rise of varied questions relating to water levels and environmental concern through profit making. The best option requires an adoptatation by the government. The best option according to this report; is the water desalination process. Despite the fact that one time investment levels at the start of the project are high, the predicament of allocation of water can undergo limitation through the supplies. The completion of provisions for biofuel production; Thames desalination plant, still requires to address issues related to energy consumption (Untitled 2006). Recommendation The above discussions aim at fulfilling the demand for one technique or another. The need to bring down the demand; domestic and industrial demand remains a challenge. Legislation requires carrying out additional task if they aim at removal of leaking pipes. The situation can go a long way in decreasing the regular water utilization of clientele by fixing additional water meters and enhanced promotional activities (Taghvaeian et al 2012). References Abudu, S, Cevik, S, Bawazir, S, King, J, & Chunliang, C 2011, Vitality of ancient karez systems in arid lands: a case study in Turpan region of China, Water History, 3, 3, p. 213, Publisher Provided Full Text Searching File, EBSCOhost, viewed 8 April 2013. Drewes, J, Roa Garduño, C, & Amy, G 2012, Water reuse in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – status, prospects and research needs, Water Science & Technology: Water Supply, 12, 6, p. 926, Publisher Provided Full Text Searching File, EBSCOhost, viewed 8 April 2013. El-Ghonemy, AK 2012, Fresh water production from/by atmospheric air for arid regions, using Solar energy: Review, Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16, 8, pp. 6384-6422, GreenFILE, EBSCOhost, viewed 8 April 2013 Gebrekidan, A, Nicolai, H, Vincken, L, Teferi, M, Asmelash, T, Dejenie, T, Zerabruk, S, Gebrehiwet, K, Bauer, H, Deckers, J, Luis, P, De Meester, L, & van der Bruggen, B 2013, Pesticides Removal by Filtration over Cactus Pear Leaves: A Cheap and Natural Method for Small-Scale Water Purification in Semi-Arid Regions, CLEAN: Soil, Air, Water, 41, 3, p. 235, Publisher Provided Full Text Searching File, EBSCOhost, viewed 8 April 2013. Taghvaeian, S, Chávez, J, & Hansen, N 2012, Infrared Thermometry to Estimate Crop Water Stress Index and Water Use of Irrigated Maize in Northeastern Colorado, Remote Sensing, 4, 11, p. 3619, Publisher Provided Full Text Searching File, EBSCOhost, viewed 8 April 2013. Untitled 2006, Chinese Journal of Geochemistry, 25, pp. 1-281, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 8 April 2013. Read More