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

US Army Corps of EngineersKansas City DistrictLittle Rock District

Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Regional16 County Total Supply Gap

Jan Mar

May Ju

lSe

pNov

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Surface Water Demand

Groundwater Demand

Total Water Supply

2040

MG

D

Jan Mar

May Ju

lSe

pNov

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Surface Water DemandGroundwater DemandTotal Water Supply

2060

MG

D

Drought Conditions

Scenario 3

Water Operations

Water Supply System

12

34

5

67

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

BRANCHSYSTEM

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

Gail MelgrenExecutive Director

Tri-State Water Resource Coalition

Roddy RodgersManager-Water

Resource Projects

City Utilities

Questions