Water, Water, Everywhere
Water In The USA
The water industry in this country is a multi-billion dollar industry, which brings with it power and the need to make a profit. However, conservation efforts are often hindered by the potential for lost revenue. This puts water providers in a difficult position as they are responsible for ensuring quality, delivery, system repair, and future supply, while also facing the perception of unlimited water supply from consumers.
Today, water providers across the country are working to educate communities about the source of water and provide useful tips on how to best use and manage this resource. They dedicate endless hours and utilize grants and studies to develop conservation plans and accountability measures. Each region in the country has its own approach to water management, influenced by political, social, and climatic pressures.
Despite their efforts, the challenges surrounding water issues continue to grow. As water becomes increasingly valuable, akin to gold or oil, and its quality declines, it is clear that the situation will only deteriorate.
Western Water
Water in the Western US comes from various sources such as mountain runoff, deep wells, and aquifers, which then flow into lakes, ponds, streams, and ditches. In some areas like the Denver metro, and parts of California water is recycled. While many people may see water as just water, it's important to recognize that not all water sources are the same in terms of quantity and quality. Water supplies are used in various industries and activities, including agriculture, ranching, golf courses, and parks.
However, these water sources are not uniform and do not behave the same. They are not consistently plentiful year after year or during the summer. Fortunately, in the basins and valleys of many northern mountain states, seasonal recharge provides a chance to replenish water supplies. In contrast, the Southwest has faced challenges in managing water resources due to the region's rapid growth and agricultural demands, especially in the face of water scarcity.
Efforts to promote water conservation and efficiency, as well as the use of modern technology, can play a vital role in addressing these water challenges. Additionally, these practices can extend to energy and chemical reduction, further contributing to sustainable water management in the arid West.
Irrigation
The irrigation systems in the West are impressive in their scale and engineering, but they may not be the most efficient use of water. From hand lines to wheel lines and pivots, the systems aim to improve efficiency, but they seem to run constantly, leading to concerns about pollution and wasted water. Automating irrigation was meant to improve water efficiency, but it seems to have led to even more water use and waste. Timers and controllers are often set imprecisely, and automated irrigation systems may run unnecessarily, rather than supplementing nature's rainfall as intended. There is a need for better education, methods, and innovation in water management to address these issues. Many new technologies and products have not been fully utilized due to limited vision and knowledge within the industry.
Conservation
If we consider it, irrigation in the West doesn't seem to make much sense. Nonetheless, we can appreciate the storage and network of canals and ditches that deliver water to the dry lands. It's a great feat of engineering. From floods to furrows, hand lines to wheel lines, and now the extensive reach of the pivot system—all aiming to enhance efficiency. However, the fields are covered with endless hand lines and wheel lines, which perpetuate a never-ending water cycle without shutting off. This has led to concerns about pollution from the lands, known as 'runoff'. In response, technology has been introduced to 'Automate', with hopes of improving water efficiency and management.
The automation of irrigation, whether in residential, commercial, municipal, or agricultural areas, has resulted in more water usage and waste than anticipated. Timers or controllers set to turn on based on operators' guesswork are always incorrect in terms of true irrigation, which is meant to supplement nature's rainfall in a given region. It has now become common for automatic irrigation to run just for the sake of having an irrigation system, rather than actually making up for rainfall or meeting the genuine needs of the plants.
There is a need for more education, experience, and practical methods to be shared with water managers across all sectors. We are lagging behind in recognizing and embracing true innovation. Many technologies, new products, and services have failed to take off because managing entities have a limited vision and lack knowledge of their own industry.
Hydration
Understanding a Critical Component of Water––HYDRATION
Water is a complex subject that baffles even experts and scientists due to its various molecular structures. Different scientific groups studying water often struggle to agree on its properties. It's important to remember that scientific understanding evolves over time, so it's crucial to keep an open mind, especially when it comes to new technologies related to water.
Hydration plays a critical role in water and plant health, and understanding soil health is essential for proper water application, intake, wilt prevention, and overall production. Hard water, with its high mineral content, is not suitable for plant growth. Excessive calcium in water and soil creates an unfavorable environment for plants and often leads to overuse of chemicals and fertilizers. Fortunately, new technologies are able to mitigate the negative impacts of calcium, resulting in improved water quality and reduced need for fertilizers. Consequently, plants have better access to water, leading to enhanced hydration, vigor, and production.
And with this, to be sure, a new age of water and understanding is on the horizon…
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