The upcoming global water crisis

[Zoraxe 546]

@@Twilight Dirac,

 

There is a problem with desalinization plants in that the brine released doesn't disperse fast enough so areas around the plants get saltier, so they have to mix it with more water before it reaches the ocean to prevent that. And the plants cause pollution too.

 

The drought in California isn't as serious as the drought in Iran or Brazil or large parts of Africa, but it does show that California isn't capable of handling all the food production of being a bread basket in a desert, with an ever increasing population to feed. And that's the trap, raise California water prices then jobs are lost and farms fold and agriculture shifts to other parts of the country, but keep things the same as they are then they would need more and more water to keep up. But like in Australia, people are hesitant to build desalinization plants because if it rains and the reservoirs refill it would make them seem like huge wastes of money. But once the underground water in the Midwest runs dry then agriculture there will die and, yep, California would have to step up food production even more.

Edited September 4, 2015 by Zoraxe

[Splashee 28,564]

I am not so sure it is a problem. This planet is like 99% water, and there are a few tricks you can do to make it drinkable.

 

I have had more floods lately than drought, which also suggests the problem might be local to specific areas like deserts and stuff.

[Fluttershutter 2,489]

Two simple words: STOP REPRODUCING!!!!!

[ZiggWheelsManning 10,490]

Just thinking about water makes me say YUCK  

[Splashee 28,564]

Transistor technology will help us with water, just like it has helped us with the rest of our problems 

[Gale Wind 82]

I’m not sure all the Midwest would be affected. I live near Chicago and we’re Midwest but I don’t see the Great Lakes going dry soon. I’ve seen where the water level in Lake Michigan goes up and down, though. 

[RDDash 19,186]

people could build desalination water plants if they really wanted a fresh water in California or anywhere else. New desalination plants are controlled by the Coastal Commission and the Coastal Commission is controlled by the environmentalists. So here you go California may or may not want more fresh water sources.

Edited January 22, 2023 by RDDash

[ZiggWheelsManning 10,490]

So California is a toss up between old and new water?