The Coming Water Wars
Purpose
• Provide a better understanding of the
connection between water resources and
conflict
• Provide an overview of water operations
form source to tap
Challenges
Demand
• Rapid population
growth
• Globalization
Supply
• Finite resource
• Scarcity
• Pollution and
contamination
• Climate change
• Desertification &
Subsidence
Withdrawals By Sector
Dominant Sectors
Demand
• 39,090 gallons to make a car
• 2,847 gallons for one pound of
chocolate
• 1,800 gallons to make a pair of jeans
• 1,500 gallons to produce one barrel (32
gallons) of beer
• 1,250-2,500 gallons for one pound of
beef
• 400 gallons for a cotton T-Shirt
• 5.4 gallons of water for one lumber
board
The Water Cycle
Scarcity
• Over 70% of our Earth's surface is covered by
water
• 97.5% of all water on Earth is salt water, leaving
only 2.5% as fresh water
• Nearly 70% of that fresh water is frozen
• Remainder is mostly present as soil moisture, or
lies in deep underground aquifers
• Only ~ 1% of the world's fresh water is
accessible for direct human uses.
Water Scarcity Index
Scarcity
• 80-100 gallons = U.S.per capita
daily use
• 5 gallons = world’s poorest
nations
• 1 billion people do not have
access to safe drinking water.
• In African ~1/3 of population
lacks access to water.
• 46% of people on earth do not
have water piped to their homes
Freshwater Availability
Pollution & Contamination
• 80% of sewage in developing
countries is discharged untreated,
polluting rivers, lakes and coastal
areas
• “Dead Zones” - Globally, the most
prevalent water quality problem is
eutrophication, a result of high-nutrient
loads (mainly phosphorus and
nitrogen)
• Many industries – some heavily
polluting (such as leather and
chemicals) – are moving to emerging
market economies
Conflict
• Protests over water shortages in South Africa turn
violent
• Civilians suffer violence, intentional water cuts
along Georgia-Russia border
• Farmers and herdsmen clash over land and water
access - Nigeria
• Village clashes with police over spring-Mexico
• Violent protests over water shortages in Egypt
July 24, 2012
March 23, 2015
June 2, 2015
Conflict
Missouri Water Sources
• Surface (Rivers, lakes) – 62%
– 44% from Missouri River
• 8 of 10 biggest cities
• Ground (aquifers) – 38%
– High quality water
– Abundant but not endless
• Cones of depression
• Well interference
• Cost of pumping
• Saltwater intrusion
• Contamination
• Subsidance
• Dependent on re-charge
Southwest Missouri Water
Resource Study
Missouri
Department of Natural Resources
US Army Corps of Engineers
Kansas City District
Little Rock District
Regional
16 County Total Supply Gap
300
250
150
Surface Water
Demand
100
Groundwater
Demand
Drought Conditions
Total Water
Supply
50
0
300
250
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
200
2040
MGD
Surface Water
Demand
150
Groundwater
Demand
100
Scenario 3
50
Total Water Supply
0
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
MGD
200
2060
Water Operations
Water Supply System
1
2
6
7
4
3
5
Supply
Aquifers (Groundwater)
• Porous consolidated rock
or unconsolidated soil
• Groundwater fills spaces
• Wells and pumps used to
remove water
Supply
Surface Water
• Lakes, reservoirs, rivers
• Rivers dammed to create
reservoirs
• Reservoirs store water
during heavy rain/snow
Treatment
• Amount of treatment
depends on quality of the
source
• Ground water requires
less treatment than
surface water
Treatment
Treatment Process
• Coagulation
• Flocculation
• Sedimentation
• Filtration
• Disinfection (Chlorine)
• Corrosion Control
• Taste & Odor Control
• Fluoridation
Treatment
Chemicals
• Gas Chlorine
• Sodium Hypochlorite
• Polyaluminum Carbonate
(PAC)
• Carbon
• Potassium Permanganate
• Soda Ash
• Fluoride
Monitoring
Monitoring Examples
• Sources
• In-plant
• Distribution System
• Customer Sites
Storage
Storage Tank
• Pumped from
Treatment
• Water pressure
– 1 psi = 2.31 feet of water
Distribution System
• Consists of water lines,
fittings, valves, service
lines, meters, and fire
hydrants
• Loop system more
desirable than branch
system
– Isolation valves
– Water flows in more
than one direction
LOOP
SYSTEM
BRANCH
SYSTEM
Distribution System
• Typical new system pipe
– Thermoplastic or ductile iron
– Reinforced concrete in larger
mains
• Older system pipe
– Cast-iron or asbestos cement
• Typical distribution pressure of 65
– 75 psi
• Designed for less than 150 psi
• Fire Hydrants
Booster Pump Stations
• Boosts clean water
throughout the
distribution systems to
desired pressures
Customer
• Residential, commercial, and industrial facilities
• Residential
– Min. distribution pressure = 40 psi
– Max. distribution pressure = 80 psi
• Pressure-reducing valve
• Commercial or industrial facilities
– May require higher pressure
– Pumps can increase pressure
• Rates
Special Thanks
Roddy Rodgers
Manager-Water
Resource Projects
City Utilities
Gail Melgren
Executive Director
Tri-State Water Resource
Coalition
Questions