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 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 Engineers Kansas City District Little Rock District Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Regional 16 County Total Supply Gap Drought Conditions Scenario 3

Water Operations

Water Supply System

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 BRANCH SYSTEM

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 Melgren Executive Director Tri-State Water Resource Coalition Roddy Rodgers Manager-Water Resource Projects City Utilities

Questions

Source Capacity Drought Yields- Fulbright Spring Fulbright Well No. 1 McDaniel & Fellows James River System Wells (3) Stockton Lake TOTAL Watershed Map MGD

Water Facilities Summary 1,280 Miles of pipe 7,960 Fire Hydrants 28,780 Valves Certified laboratory Fulbright Treatment Plant (1941) Blackman Treatment Plant (1981) 8 Water Storage Facilities ( ) 4 dams (pre ) Pumps McDaniel (1929) 3 Fellows (1980) 4 James River (1981) 5 Stockton (1996) 4 Blackman (1981) 8 Fulbright (1941) 4 Blaine (1985) 3 Division Street (1967) 3 SW Booster (1980) 4 Booster II (1995) 4 Two wells( ) 2 Two wells retired in 2012 Total pumps 44 (Does not include other pumps such as chemical pumps, sample pumps)

Water Rights The Eastern states (all those east of Texas, except Mississippi), follow the riparian doctrine, which permits anyone whose land has frontage on a body of water to use water from it Most western states, naturally drier, generally follow the prior appropriation doctrine, which gives a water right to whoever first puts water to beneficial use