In the United States, a few improvements to the system can be done that will help out our water crisis. Clearly, other countries have a much bigger need to work on their water quality and quantity but the U.S. can do a few things as well to help out. Most of the solutions, besides bringing awareness, would work wonders for developing countries. One can only be hopeful that they will eventually adopt some of the technologies and mostly money to create a better life and world.
Government
Well, the government does have organizations devoted to this and other environmental issues, like the EPA. It is a strong organization. In the like, the government does a lot with the United Nations in collaborating for a better future. More can always be done however for causes in the environment because every day new technologies are being produced and more strategies for improvement. However, these may not always work efficiently so it is back to the drawing board to find more ways. The areas the solutions will most likely be found in are through businesses making strategies for less water consumption, and through adjusted irrigation processes. The everyday Joe does not realize the consumption of water the nation goes through, and the lack of the freshwater supply. Only those scientists studying the issue do. However, the organizations out there dedicated to the cause have done an excellent job in creating websites and movements that recognize the problems and present them in clear fashion. Most importantly is directing people to these events and websites held by environmental organizations
awareness
One way to improve upon the environmental concerns is to bring awareness to the issue. This is true for most issues in general. A lot of the awareness days that people know of are for big issues, like breast cancer or sad events, but few realize how many are out there, mandated by the government, for the environment. Some include: World Water Day (3/22), International Day of Action for Rivers (3/14), World Environment Day (6/5), Earth Day (4/22), World Oceans Day (6/8), and World Wind Day (6/15). These are recognized across the global for the people to be aware and cognizant of how to treat the environment. For the sake of this argument, the water recognition days are most important for this water crisis. It is clear that the United Nations has struck up these days for the future generations to be mindful that it is imperative to keep the environment in good condition so it will last longer. After all, they will be the ones most affected by any changes that occur today in the environment. On the downside, most of the people reading this have probably not heard of any of these days. What does this mean? It means that more knowledge needs to be spread about them. The way to get most awareness it through the government organization which are already establish and through the non-profits. It is also more likely to get a response from the cities with large concentrations of people, because more are likely to change their habits than in rural parts of the country.
WOrk on Agriculture
Another area that can be improved upon to benefit water resources is irrigation or agriculture. Irrigation water is typically taken from the groundwater but because of the increased demand, the groundwater levels are dropping. In the United Nations, there is a sector called the Food and Agriculture Organization who are doing a lot of work in regards to irrigation projects. They have two options that would help obtain additional water to feed populations:
1. Expansion of rain-fed agriculture, ie.e the form of agriculture which relies on precipitation, and for it to be expanded to areas that have not been used for agriculture up to now (see right)
2. Increased water consumption in the areas that are currently used for rain-fed agriculture, by diverting the water from neighboring ecosystems to the fields
Another area in agriculture that can be improved upon is food production. At present, it is the largest water user on Earth, followed by the power industry. If irrigation systems for food production could use water more effectively, then it would save water as expected. One solution to this would be Underground drip irrigation facilities that transport the irrigation water and the dissolved fertilizer through a branched system of pipes. With a minimum use of water, high yields are produced. They have already begun to use this type of system in some parts of Europe. (Mauser)
1. Expansion of rain-fed agriculture, ie.e the form of agriculture which relies on precipitation, and for it to be expanded to areas that have not been used for agriculture up to now (see right)
2. Increased water consumption in the areas that are currently used for rain-fed agriculture, by diverting the water from neighboring ecosystems to the fields
Another area in agriculture that can be improved upon is food production. At present, it is the largest water user on Earth, followed by the power industry. If irrigation systems for food production could use water more effectively, then it would save water as expected. One solution to this would be Underground drip irrigation facilities that transport the irrigation water and the dissolved fertilizer through a branched system of pipes. With a minimum use of water, high yields are produced. They have already begun to use this type of system in some parts of Europe. (Mauser)
conclusion
These are just a few things that would most likely help prevent a water crisis in the United States longer. In other countries, it would help greatly. We are fortunate enough to be a developed country with funds for doing projects that positively affect the environment. Work can be done on water resources, food, climate change, greenhouse gases. There can always be room for improvement though. Scientist and researchers will never stop trying to find solutions that can better the countries across the globe. Hopefully one day, other developing countries can reach the state where they are not struggling for clean water or just some water like the United States is already at.