Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Similar strategies will increasingly come into play for water rec-
lamation and reuse in the western United States and in many parts
of the Southeast and Midwest, adds Archuleta. More desalination
plants are likely, too, and not only in Texas, California, or Florida.
“I think you will see many more inland desalination applications
like ours.”
Diversify, Diversify, Diversify
Diversifying sources for water is important for cities, towns, and
municipalities to consider when planning for growth, develop-
ment, and need, says Archuleta. Don't put all your eggs in one
basket or you could end up like Las Vegas, he warns. That city
depends primarily on water from the Colorado River (and its
Lake Mead). As mentioned, it supplies 90 percent of the city's water
supply—and with lake levels way down (see Figure 8.1), what
water there is already is appropriated. Combine those factors with
the city's tremendous growth, and Las Vegas is scrambling to fi nd
water elsewhere to meet its needs.
Las Vegas' Pat Mulroy has worked zealously to diversify her
authority's water resources despite drawing the ire of many in the
process. She's also spearheaded massive conservation and construc-
tion initiatives to plan for catastrophic water shortages. “This nation
is a voracious user of natural resources, and we have to knock it off,”
Mulroy says. “The days when we had a great expanse of country and
few people and few food needs and suffi cient agriculture property
to meet those demands are over. Our population has grown, and
it's going to grow by another 200 [million] to 300 million people.
It's time to start thinking the impossible is possible,” adds Mulroy.
“Everyone assumed in the '90s, based on probability studies, that
a drought of this magnitude would be impossible
.
So much for
probabilities.”
Water leaders, communities, states, and the nation must plan
now for the worst-case scenario, she adds. “I'm not saying 'spend
money.' But know what it's going to take to meet the challenges
of whatever the
impossible
is; know what timelines are required to
build that necessary facility; know what triggers and warning signs
to watch for; and when those occur, step into action.”
