Water crisis: the metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, regional water supply conflict

Water Policy ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 669-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas M. Missimer ◽  
Philip A. Danser ◽  
Gary Amy ◽  
Thomas Pankratz
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Potable Reuse ◽  
Conservation Plan ◽  
Current Water ◽  
Reuse Of Treated Wastewater ◽  
River Reservoirs

Many large population centres are currently facing considerable difficulties with planning issues to secure future water supplies, as a result of water allocation and environmental issues, litigation, and political dogma. A classic case occurs in the metropolitan Atlanta area, which is a rapidly growing, large population centre that relies solely on surface water for supply. Lake Lanier currently supplies about 70% of the water demand and has been involved in a protracted legal dispute for more than two decades. Drought and environmental management of the reservoir combined to create a water shortage which nearly caused a disaster to the region in 2007 (only about 35 days of water supply was in reserve). While the region has made progress in controlling water demand by implementing a conservation plan, per capita use projections are still very high (at 511 L/day in 2035). Both non-potable reuse and indirect reuse of treated wastewater are contained in the most current water supply plan with up to 380,000 m3/day of wastewater treated using advanced wastewater treatment (nutrient removal) to be discharged into Lake Lanier. The water supply plan, however, includes no additional or new supply sources and has deleted any reference to the use of seawater desalination or other potential water sources which would provide diversification, thereby relying solely on the Coosa and Chattahoochee river reservoirs for the future.

scholarly journals Identification of Water-Reuse Potentials to Strengthen Rural Areas in Water-Scarce Regions—The Case Study of Wuwei

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 492
Author(s):  
Sonja Bauer
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Population Data ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Sustainable Water Supply ◽  
Current Water ◽  
Water Scarce

Due to water scarcity, which is worsening due to climate change, rural areas often face the challenge of rural exoduses. Limited water resources restrict local farmers as the opportunities for cultivation in the fields are reduced. This makes rural areas increasingly unattractive. To strengthen rural areas, sustainable water management with a focus on water-reuse is required. Since treated wastewater is a daily resource with calculable quantities available, reused water can contribute to the sustainable strengthening of a region. Therefore, an analysis of water-reuse potentials must be conducted to develop a water-reuse concept and thus increase the application of reused water. For this purpose, a case study of Wuwei as a rural and water-scarce region in China was chosen. By using a geoinformation system, the unfulfilled water-reuse potential can be identified by intersecting the results of the analysis regarding the current water supply and disposal situation with spatial and regional information, such as population data. Hence, the study presents the potential to increase wastewater treatment and water-reuse for, e.g., agricultural irrigation. It is shown that, in the best case, reused water can be increased from 5479 m3 per day to 207,461 m3 per day. Resource efficiency can be further increased by combining water-reuse concepts with land-use strategies adapted to climate change. This will ensure a more sustainable water supply in the future.

scholarly journals Revival of Traditional Cascade Tanks for Achieving Climate Resilience in Drylands of South India

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pennan Chinnasamy ◽  
Aman Srivastava
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
South India ◽  
Recent Decade ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Agricultural Water ◽  
Domestic Water ◽  
North East ◽  
Sustainable Water Supply ◽  
South West Monsoon

Traditional tanks in arid regions of India have been working to address water demands of the public for more than 2000 years. However, recent decade is witnessing growing domestic and agricultural water demand coupled with rising encroachment and ignorance toward tanks; consequently, intensifying water shortage issues. While climate change is impacting at alarming rates, local agencies have forgotten these tanks that have aided in sustainable water supply solutions for decades apart from municipal water supply. This research, for the first time, estimates water supply-demand for an arid region in South India (Madurai) and lists out the benefits if tanks were managed and desilted. Exploratory investigations for documenting seasonal domestic and agricultural unmet water demand were conducted followed by their validation through ground-truthing across the study period 2002–2019. Results indicated high unmet domestic water demand, estimating ~73% [maximum 365 thousand cubic meters (TCM)] for summer (March to May) and ~33% (maximum 149 TCM) for winter (January and February), and high unmet agricultural water demand estimating ~90% (maximum 5,424 TCM) during North-East monsoon (October to December), and ~95% (maximum 5,161 TCM) during South-West monsoon (June to September). Erratic rainfall pattern was identified as a major cause for higher fluctuations in water availability inside tanks ranging 0–50%, while lack of ownership resulted in increased siltation load ranging 30–70% of the tank's volume. The study found that the major portion of the unmet water demand can be accounted for through rehabilitation of the tanks, as under the rehabilitated tank irrigation scenario the tank storage could attain 200–400% more water than the estimated agricultural water demand. It was concluded that if the cascade tanks were managed appropriately, they could have positive impacts by reducing floods and providing water for drought seasons.

Present and future water security under socioeconomic and climate changes in the Vilcanota-Urubamba basin

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andres Goyburo ◽  
Pedro Rau ◽  
Waldo Lavado ◽  
Fabian Drenkhan ◽  
Wouter Buytaert
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Hydrological Modeling ◽  
Hydrological Cycle ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Glacier Melt ◽  
Current Water ◽  
The Impact

<p>This research assesses present (2009-2016) and future (until 2100) levels of water security taking into consideration socioeconomic and climate change scenarios using the WEAP (Water Evaluation and Planning) tool for semidistributed hydrological modeling. The study area covers the  Vilcanota-Urubamba basin in the southern Peruvian Andes and presents a complex water demand context as a glacier-fed system.</p><p>Current total water demand is estimated in 5.12E+9 m3/year and includes agriculture (6674.17 m3/year), domestic (7.79E+07m3/year), industrial (1.01E+06 m3/year) and energy (5.03e+9 m3/year) consumption. For assessing the current water supply, observed flow data is used to simulate and validate the model (also accounting for glacier melt contribution). The analysis of unmet water demand for the period 2016–2100 was computed using the soil moisture scheme of the WEAP model, which simulates the hydrological cycle and generates future scenarios for water demand. Different scenarios were generated for external driving factors (population growth and increasing agriculture area) and the impact of climate change to evaluate their effect on the current water supply system. </p><p>These results will allow for the first time to evaluate the impact of changes in glacier melt contributions on water security taking into account also changes in water demand.</p><p>This study also further explores the importance of incorporating science and policy within a broader study of water security. As a result, it is expected to deliver high spatial resolution water demand maps and adaptation strategies for stakeholders. This research is part of the RAHU project as a new multidisciplinary collaboration between UK and Peruvian scientists.</p>

scholarly journals Effects of Urban Development Patterns on Municipal Water Shortage

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hadi Heidari ◽  
Mazdak Arabi ◽  
Travis Warziniack ◽  
Sybil Sharvelle
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Urban Development ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
High Density ◽  
Water Model ◽  
Water Supply Systems ◽  
Development Patterns ◽  
Municipal Water

While urban areas are being threatened by water shortage due to climate change and rapid population growth, effects of urban development patterns on future municipal water shortage are rarely investigated. We address this aspect of urbanization by assessing the impacts of sprawl vs. high-density patterns on future changes in the sub-annual water shortage intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) relationships. The City of Fort Collins, Colorado, water supply system is chosen as a representative region that is rapidly developing over the last decades. The future water supply is estimated using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) driven with a hot-dry climate model from the statistically downscaled Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, phase 5 (CMIP5) projections. Future water demand is projected using the Integrated Urban Water Model (IUWM) under both sprawl and high-density development patterns. The demonstration study reveals that urban areas under the sprawl development pattern are likely to experience water shortage events with higher intensity, duration, and frequency compared to the high-density pattern. Characterizing impacts of urban development patterns on future water shortage conditions is required for sustainable water management and smart urban growth and can help urban planners and water managers to develop an adaptive path to meet future water demand and decrease the vulnerability of municipal water supply systems to shortage.

scholarly journals Water demand predictions for megacities: system dynamics modeling and implications

Water Policy ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huanhuan Qin ◽  
Ximing Cai ◽  
Chunmiao Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
System Dynamics ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Dynamics Modeling ◽  
Water Transfers ◽  
Water Demands ◽  
Linear Relationships ◽  
Basin Water

Abstract Sustaining the water supply in megacities is an enormous challenge. To address this challenge, it is especially important to predict water demand changes in megacities. This paper presents a system dynamics model to predict the future water demands of different sectors considering multiple factors, including population, structure of the economy, and water supply and use technologies. Compared with traditional methods such as the time series method and structure analysis method, the proposed model takes into account the interconnections, non-linear relationships and feedbacks between the various factors in a systems context. The model is applied to Beijing, a megacity with a population over 20 million and very limited water availability. It is found that the total water demand is likely to increase by at least 36.1% (up to 62.5%) by 2030 compared with that in 2011, and the water deficits vary from −0.36 × 109 to 1.80 × 109m3 in 2030. In addition, scenarios are designed to account for impacts associated with economic development, climate change and inter-basin water transfers. It is shown that climate change may have a large impact on the water supply reliability in Beijing. The water shortage problems can be alleviated via inter-basin water transfers.

scholarly journals Chlorine inactivation of coxsackievirus B5 in recycled water destined for non-potable reuse

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satiya Wati ◽  
Bret S. Robinson ◽  
John Mieog ◽  
Judy Blackbeard ◽  
Alexandra R. Keegan
Keyword(s):  
Potable Water ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Free Chlorine ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Conservative Approach ◽  
Resistant Virus ◽  
Recycled Water ◽  
Potable Reuse ◽  
Testing Method ◽  
Reuse Of Treated Wastewater

Abstract Currently guidelines for disinfection of water with free chlorine, while primarily developed for potable water, are often used for virus disinfection of nitrified recycled water of >1 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit). More information is needed on the disinfection efficacy of free chlorine for viruses in waters of varying turbidity and pH due to significant reuse of treated wastewater of varying quality. In this study, disinfection efficacy in nitrified/denitrified activated sludge treated wastewater was investigated for coxsackievirus B5 (CB5), an enterovirus known to be highly resistant to free chlorine. The required chlorine contact times (CT) values (mg.min/L) for inactivation of CB5 were established in treated wastewater at 10 °C and of varying turbidity (0.2, 2, 5 and 20 NTU) and pH (7, 8 and 9). CTs were calculated to achieve 1 to 4 log10 inactivation. Robust data is presented in support of the chlorine CT values required to inactivate a chlorine-resistant virus in a range of turbidities and pHs in treated wastewaters. The testing method used a conservative approach and the data presented have been used to develop the free chlorine virus inactivation guildelines for recycled water in Victoria and South Australia, Australia.

Options for the future: balancing urban water supply and demand in Beijing

Water Policy ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Can Wang ◽  
Camilla Dunham Whitehead ◽  
Jining Chen ◽  
Xiaomin Liu ◽  
Junying Chu
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Current Effort ◽  
Current Water ◽  
Water Supply And Demand

Beijing is facing the considerable challenge of water shortage, as it is just able to meet current water demand in a year with average precipitation and a shortfall between water supply and demand is estimated to be around 1.8 billion[109] cubic meters (BCM) by 2010. Aiming to find the solution to such a severe challenge, this paper investigates Beijing's current and future water resources availability and water-use configurations, as well as past and current effort on both areas of water supply and demand. The analysis shows a continuously growing demand for water and an aggravating deficit of traditionally available water resources. The paper concludes that it is necessary to establish well-structured water-use data and employ more advanced forecasting methods if sound future decisions regarding water balance are expected to be made. In order to realize Beijing Municipality's full urban water conservation potential, it is suggested that a comprehensive and integrated long-term conservation program be implemented, which is technically feasible and economically justified, to conserve water consistently for many years.

Facing water shortage in a Mediterranean tourist area: seawater desalination or water reuse?

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 63-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Xu ◽  
F. Brissaud ◽  
M. Salgot
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Economic Modelling ◽  
Seawater Desalination

An integrated technical-economic modelling framework was developed to help planning and managing of water resources in a Mediterranean tourist area, Palma on Majorca island (Spain). Due to high water demand, groundwater resources are depleted and new water resources should be developed. Seawater desalination has become an important solution to water shortage, especially in the summer tourist season. Meanwhile, reclaimed water has been applied for agricultural and landscape irrigation. With regard to the treated wastewater not being effectively reused, further water reuse scenarios are envisaged in order to meet new water demand, restore over-exploited aquifers and reduce expensive seawater desalination. Three types of models were established and coupled: (i) hydrological models; (ii) water demand and/or need model; (iii) technical-economic model. In addition, a multi-criteria analysis completed the technical-economic modelling. The simulated water reuse scenarios are not alternative but complementary. They provide the possibilities for total reuse of wastewater in the Palma area. Compared with seawater desalination, water reuse is a cost-effective solution to address water scarcity issues in the Palma area. Using tertiary effluent for landscape irrigation allows over-exploited aquifers to recover. It is very attractive in terms of economic benefits and feasible with respect to technical and social aspects. Further water reuse for extending agricultural irrigation can greatly reduce seawater desalination but acquiring the farmers' agreement to give up pumping groundwater for irrigation would meet some difficulties. Water recharge would help to totally reuse wastewater but uncertainties related to public perception and the attitude or regulatory board and local authorities need dealing with. Because water reuse requires a long-term managing viewpoint in order to prepare and demonstrate its feasibility and security, seawater desalination was adopted as an emergency solution to meet peak demands during the tourist season and in case of drought.

scholarly journals Water-resource stress on the Spanish Costa del Sol: policy requirements to improve supply security

Water Policy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 961-971
Author(s):  
Manuel Argamasilla-Ruiz ◽  
Stephen Foster ◽  
Bartolome Andreo-Navarro
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Supply System ◽  
Resource Stress ◽  
Current Water ◽  
Institutional Challenges

Abstract The Costa del Sol, in common with many Mediterranean (and similar) coastal areas, is having to face increasing water-resource stress as a result of global warming and land-use change, coupled with extremely high peak water demand resulting from large tourist numbers and summer climatic factors. An assessment is presented of current water-supply provision, possible measures to enhance the resilience of the water-supply system (focusing on improved use of groundwater storage), and the institutional challenges confronting their implementation.

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