Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The solutions aren't instantaneous, and many aren't easy. But
solutions can be found. The ideas, like the problems, seem endless,
and often contradictory and controversial. Some approaches—like
water conservation, reuse, increased effi ciency, cleanup, education,
and more—are realistic and achievable. Other ideas—like capturing
icebergs or fl oating giant water balloons to points elsewhere—are
perhaps less so. With all the proposals and suggestions, though, the
theme is change. Status quo when it comes to water in the twenty-
fi rst century is a concept of the past. As we've discussed throughout
Aqua Shock , some forward-thinking metropolitan areas, municipal
water districts, states, public and private organizations, and individ-
uals already have embraced change and are spearheading or have
implemented various water initiatives with success to their credit.
“Water will never be an issue that will be solved once and for
all,” says Iowa's Greg Huff. “There will always be challenges, both
on the local and regional levels. We must continue to seek ways to
address those challenges and fi nd and implement solutions that are
appropriate and effective for the problems facing each particular
area and situation.”
Options, Opinions, and Answers
There are few silver bullets to solve the nation's water crisis, says
Sandia's Mike Hightower, who also travels the country talking to
and working with experts on how to make the most of the resource.
Limits to new sources. “Our effi ciencies and new sources of water
won't be from new rivers, new aquifers, or any new freshwater
sources,” says Hightower. “Instead, they will be from better man-
agement, better coordination, more effi cient use of the water we
already have, and additional use of nontraditional or alternative
water resources like reusing wastewater or desalination. These ideas
will become the mantra for water use and water development in the
United States in the next 50 years. We don't have any choice.”
Some states, like New Mexico and Colorado, already have
embraced the mantra. New Mexico, for example, has a 50-year
state water plan. Looking to the future, that state's engineer has
said that if power plants are built to supply electricity to California
and New Mexico and water is used to produce the power, then
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