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A simple and easy global solution is to work on behavioral practices.
Behavioral practices involve changing water use habits so that water is used
more efficiently, thus reducing the overall water consumption in a home. In
the kitchen for example, 10 to 20 gallons of water a day can be saved by
running the dishwasher only when it is full. If dishes are washed by hand,
water can be saved by filling the sink or a dishpan with water rather than
running the water continuously. Water can be saved in the bathroom by
turning off the faucet while brushing teeth or shaving, it can be saved by
taking short showers rather than long showers or baths and turning the water
off while soaping. These water saving methods can be increased further by
installing low flow showerheads which cut down the amount of water that
comes out of the shower head at a time. Outdoor water use can be reduced by
watering the lawn early in the morning or late in the evening and on cooler
days, when possible, to reduce evaporation. Another solution is updating and advancing engineering practices. Water –saving irrigation practices fall into three categories: field practices, management strategies and system modifications. Management strategies involve monitoring soil and water conditions and collecting information on water use and efficiency. The information helps in making decisions about scheduling applications or improving the efficiency of the irrigation system. The methods include measuring rainfall, determining soil moisture, checking pumping plant efficiency, and scheduling irrigation. Normal system modifications include adding drop tubes to a center pivot system, retrofitting a well with a smaller pump, installing surge irrigation, or constructing a tail water recovery system. Harvesting rain is another solution which can be applied on a global scale. Harvesting rain has been a technique for water conservation and acquirement for ages but was never completely organized. By harvesting rain, countries are able to utilize fresh water for many more purposes and it is very cost effective so it is able to be implemented in every region of the world. The main concern when talking about harvesting rain is the amount of rain that falls in a region yearly. A benefit-cost analysis found rainwater harvesting to be economical where rainfall averages between 100 to 500 millimeters per year. A very important solution for water, which is very easily applicable to every region, including the Middle East, is public education. Public education is an essential component of a successful water conservation program. A number of tools can be used to educate the public: bill inserts, feature articles and announcements in the news media, workshops, booklets, posters and bumper stickers, and the distribution of water-saving devices. Public school education is also an important means for creating water conservation awareness. |
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