Water Security: Water crisis could be solved through planned reuse

Water Security is National Security

Water resources and how they are managed impact almost all aspects of society and the economy, in particular health, food production and security, domestic water supply and sanitation, energy, industry, and the functioning of ecosystems. Under present climate variability, water stress is already high, particularly in many developing countries, and climate change adds even more urgency for action. Without improved water resources management, the progress towards poverty reduction targets, the Millennium Development Goals, and sustainable development in all its economic, social and environ- mental dimensions, will be jeopardized. UN Water.Org

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Water crisis could be solved through planned reuse

The aptly named Black Mountains behind my home have been turned a beautiful shade of green by recent and relatively abundant rainfall. Even a brief rain event in Southern Nevada is welcome, but the last month or so has been exceptional and has me thinking of potential opportunities.

Each time I see water dripping off my roof or running down the gutter, I think of the lessons I've learned from architect and visionary Michael Reynolds and his revolutionary Earthship structures, as well as Brad Lancaster and his excellent series of books, "Harvesting Rainfall for Drylands and Beyond."

For example, Reynolds' homes harvest rainwater, store and filter it on site, then reuse every gallon as many as four times before returning it, relatively clean, to the environment. Lancaster's common-sense ideas about water harvesting are equally beneficial. I like to think that the long-term solution to our water issues, and our quest for sustainability, lie in adoption of concepts like these rather than the business-as-usual, environmentally destructive approach of massive engineering projects (think pipeline) that move us in the opposite direction.

Here's how an Earthship water system works. The roof is used to gather rainwater, which flows through a natural filtration system before being stored in a cistern. A pump and modern filtration system sends potable water to a pressure tank to provide conventional household water. Water is used in a conventional way for bathing, washing, etc. That is beneficial use No. 1. Then the fun begins.

Every Earthship has a built-in biological gray water treatment and containment system, or in layman's terms, an interior, lined, sealed and plumbed planter. They typically run along the south side of the home near south-facing windows that provide plenty of light and warmth. These systems are full of plants that clean the air and water while providing an aesthetically pleasing feature to the home. In certain cases they may even grow food. Beneficial use No. 2.

Next, the cleaned gray water is used for flushing toilets, putting an end to the ridiculous practice of flushing with potable water. Beneficial use No. 3. More