Name:Anilkumar.Bajrang.Sharma Class:-F.Y.Bcom. A Roll No.:- 31 Topic:-Water Wastage And Conservation Sub:-E.V.S Prof.

:-Sheetal Chitre

Water
W ater is the most important component of natural environment. In our solar
system water is found only on plannet Earth. Therefore it looks blue from the space. In fact the 2/3 part of the planet Earth is covered by the water bodies to which we call Hydrosphere. Unfortunately 97% of the water present on the Earth is not directly potable. It is not a fresh water but it is saline. Ocean and seas account for such a large portion so that only 3% of the water occur in fresh condition. Out of this 3% of fresh water, most of it(about 70%) is caught in ice caps and glaciers. The fpllowing table gives the idea of how much little fresh water is present on the surface of the Earth. Major Natural Stores of Water within the Global Hydrological Cycle

Store

Proportion of Total (%)

97.41 1.9 0.5 0.01 0.009 0.0001

Oceans and seas Icecaps and Glaciers Ground Water Soil Moisture Lakes and Rivers Atmosphere

 How Much Water Is Available ?

As stated above that the fresh water on the globe is extremely limited. The water that is stored in icecaps and glaciers is not of direct use. Only the water from the streams(rivers) , ponds and lakes are usefull. Secondly the fresh water is available in soils and rocks as underground water. The availability of water to mankind thus depends upon some natural factors like: Rainfall

 Ground Water  Rate of Evaporation  Run-off And its also depends upon some man-made factors like:Tecnology to store water Population (increasing) Life style (advancing / modernising) Extent of industrialisation (especially chemical plants, paper mills, refineries, thermal power plant, etc.)  Irrigation facilities (canals, tanks, wells, etc.)    

 Use and Misuse of Water in Urban Areas

In Urban areas drinking water is easily available. The urban dwellers are lucky to get drinking water. They have not to go to far off places to collect water due to the tap-water scheme developed in towns. Inspite of this facility, the behaviour of urban dwellers from both the rich and poor section, are habituated to use more water than necessary. They never make economy. At many places, the taps are kept open and the water is allowed to let out, carelessly! This a misuse of the amenity. Many people keep the tap open when they are cooking and doing the household work like cleaning the utensils and washing the clothes. In fact the water is becoming the scarce commodity. It should be conserved wherever possible. Maximum economy has to be made mandatory at least for the new building comming up. The diagram below is the pie-diagram representing the result of the survey question:-

The question asked in the survey was, Is water wastage is negative environtal impact of festivals? The answer was divided into five options i.e strongly agree, agree, not sure, disagree and strongly disagree. In fact it is shock to see that majority of people who disagree and there are some people too who strongly disagree.

Water wastage
Most irrigation practices are extremely unsustainable. Less than half of the water applied actually benefits crops; much of it is lost through surface runoff. The perceived inexpensiveness of fresh water has led to a great deal of wastage. Governmental subsidies on water and electricity supply for farmers in many nations for example, the Punjab has resulted in the wasteful application of water for irrigation for many years. Water resources are poorly managed or abused. Water is constantly wasted and polluted through the input of inefficient irrigation practices, large-scale government schemes, industry and domestic use. The worlds under-privileged are particularly subject to water shortages and pollution. In addition to the obvious causes such as over-use and pollution, there are many indirect causes of water shortage, such as salinity, soil erosion, climate change and flooding. Private ownership is also a factor driving up costs and limiting water supply.

Water conservation
Water conservation refers to reducing the usage of water and recycling of
waste water for different purposes such as cleaning,manufacturing, and agricultural irrigation.  Water conservation can be defined as:  Any beneficial reduction in water loss, use or waste as well as the preservation of water quality.  A reduction in water use accomplished by implementation of water conservation or water efficiency measures; or,  Improved water management practices that reduce or enhance the beneficial use of water. A water conservation measure is an action, behavioral change, device, technology, or improved design or process implemented to reduce water loss, waste, or use. Water efficiency is a tool of water conservation. That results in more efficient water use and thus reduces water demand. The value and costeffectiveness of a water efficiency measure must be evaluated in relation to its effects on the use and cost of other natural resources (e.g. energy or chemicals)

 Goals
The goals of water conservation efforts include as follows:  Sustainability. To ensure availability for future generations, the withdrawal of fresh water from an ecosystem should not exceed its natural replacement rate.

 Energy conservation. Water pumping, delivery, and wastewater treatment facilities consume a significant amount of energy. In some regions of the world over 15% of total electricity consumption is devoted to water management.  Habitat conservation. Minimizing human water use helps to preserve fresh water habitats for local wildlife and migrating waterfowl, as well as reducing the need to build new dams and other water diversion infrastructure.

 Social solutions
Water conservation programs are typically initiated at the local level, by either municipal water utilities or regional governments. Common strategies include public outreach campaigns, tiered water rates (charging progressively higher prices as water use increases), or restrictions on outdoor water use such as lawn watering and car washing. Cities in dry climates often require or encourage the installation of xeriscaping or natural landscaping in new homes to reduce outdoor water usage. One fundamental conservation goal is universal metering. The prevalence of residential water metering varies significantly worldwide. Recent studies have estimated that water supplies are metered in less than 30% of UK households, and about 61% of urban Canadian homes (as of 2001). Although individual water meters have often been considered impractical in homes with private wells or in multifamily buildings, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencyestimates that metering alone can reduce consumption by 20 to 40 percent In addition to raising consumer awareness of their water use, metering is also an important way to identify and localize water leaks. Some researchers have suggested that water conservation efforts should be primarily directed at farmers, in light of the fact that crop irrigation accounts for 70% of the world's fresh water use.The agricultural sector of most countries is important both economically and politically, and water subsidies are common. Conservation advocates have urged removal of all subsidies to force farmers to grow more waterefficient crops and adopt less wasteful irrigation techniques.

 Household applications
Water-saving technology for the home includes:
y y

Low-flow shower heads sometimes called energy-efficient shower heads as they also use less energy, Low-flush toilets and composting toilets. These have a dramatic impact in the developed world, as conventional Western toilets use large volumes of water.

y y

y y y y y y

Dual flush toilets created by Caroma includes two buttons or handles to flush different levels of water. Dual flush toilets use up to 67% less water than conventional toilets. Saline water (sea water) or rain water can be used for flushing toilets. Faucet aerators, which break water flow into fine droplets to maintain "wetting effectiveness" while using less water. An additional benefit is that they reduce splashing while washing hands and dishes. Wastewater reuse or recycling systems, allowing: o Reuse of graywater for flushing toilets or watering gardens o Recycling of wastewater through purification at a water treatment plant. Rainwater harvesting High-efficiency clothes washers Weather-based irrigation controllers Garden hose nozzles that shut off water when it is not being used, instead of letting a hose run. using low flow taps in wash basins Automatic faucet is a water conservation faucet that eliminates water waste at the faucet. It automates the use of faucets without the use of hands.

Water can also be conserved by landscaping with native plants and by changing behavior, such as shortening showers and not running the faucet while brushing teeth.

 Commercial applications
Many water-saving devices (such as low-flush toilets) that are useful in homes can also be useful for business water saving. Other water-saving technology for businesses includes:
y y y y y y y y

Waterless urinals Waterless car washes Infrared or foot-operated faucets, which can save water by using short bursts of water for rinsing in a kitchen or bathroom Pressurized waterbrooms, which can be used instead of a hose to clean sidewalks X-ray film processor re-circulation systems Cooling tower conductivity controllers Utilization of Lake Water and or Sea Water for Cooling Towers Water-saving steam sterilizers, for use in hospitals and health care facilities.

 Agricultural applications
For crop irrigation, optimal water efficiency means minimizing losses due to evaporation, runoff or subsurface drainage while maximizing production. An evaporation pan in combination with specific crop correction factors can be used to determine how much water is needed to satisfy plant requirements. Flood irrigation, the oldest and most common type, is often very uneven in distribution, as parts of a field may receive excess water in order to deliver sufficient quantities to other parts. Overhead irrigation, using center-pivot or lateral-moving sprinklers, has the potential for a much more equal and controlled distribution pattern. Drip irrigation is the most expensive and least-used type, but offers the ability to deliver water to plant roots with minimal losses. As changing irrigation systems can be a costly undertaking, conservation efforts often concentrate on maximizing the efficiency of the existing system. This may include chiseling compacted soils, creating furrow dikes to prevent runoff, and using soil moisture and rainfall sensors to optimize irrigation schedules.[9] Usually large gains in efficiency are possible though measurement and more effective management of the existing irrigation system. Infiltration basins, also called recharge pits, capture rainwater and recharge ground water supplies. Use of these management practices reduces soil erosion caused by stormwater runoff and improves water quality in nearbysurface waters.

 Steps to Conserve Water at Home

1. Check faucets and pipes for leaks A small drip from a worn faucet washer can waste 20 gallons of water per day. Larger leaks can waste hundreds of gallons. 2. Don't use the toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket Every time you flush a cigarette butt, facial tissue or other small bit of trash, five to seven gallons of water is wasted. 3. Check your toilets for leaks Put a little food coloring in your toilet tank. If, without flushing, the color begins to appear in the bowl within 30 minutes, you have a leak that should be repaired immediately. Most replacement parts are inexpensive and easy to install. 4. Use your water meter to check for hidden water leaks Read the house water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.

5. Install water-saving shower heads and low-flow faucet aerators Inexpensive water-saving low-flow shower heads or restrictors are easy for the homeowner to install. Also, long, hot showers can use five to ten gallons every unneeded minute. Limit your showers to the time it takes to soap up, wash down and rinse off. "Low-flow" means it uses less than 2.5 gallons per minute. You can easily install a ShowerStart showerhead, or add a ShowerStart converter to existing showerheads, which automatically pauses a running shower once it gets warm. Also, all household faucets should be fit with aerators. This single best home water conservation method is also the cheapest! 6. Put plastic bottles or float booster in your toilet tank To cut down on water waste, put an inch or two of sand or pebbles inside each of two plastic bottles to weigh them down. Fill the bottles with water, screw the lids on, and put them in your toilet tank, safely away from the operating mechanisms. Or, buy an inexpensive tank bank or float booster. This may save ten or more gallons of water per day. Be sure at least 3 gallons of water remain in the tank so it will flush properly. If there is not enough water to get a proper flush, users will hold the lever down too long or do multiple flushes to get rid of waste. Two flushings at 1.4 gallons is worse than a single 2.0 gallon flush. A better suggestion would be to buy an adjustable toilet flapper that allow for adjustment of their per flush use. Then the user can adjust the flush rate to the minimum per flush setting that achieves a single good flush each time. For new installations, consider buying "low flush" toilets, which use 1 to 2 gallons per flush instead of the usual 3 to 5 gallons. Replacing an 18 liter per flush toilet with an ultra-low volume (ULV) 6 liter flush model represents a 70% savings in water flushed and will cut indoor water use by about 30%.

7. Insulate your water pipes. It's easy and inexpensive to insulate your water pipes with pre-slit foam pipe insulation. You'll get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up. 8. Take shorter showers. One way to cut down on water use is to turn off the shower after soaping up, then turn it back on to rinse. A four-minute shower uses approximately 20 to 40 gallons of water. 9. Turn off the water after you wet your toothbrush There is no need to keep the water running while brushing your teeth. Just wet your brush and fill a glass for mouth rinsing. 10. Rinse your razor in the sink

Fill the sink with a few inches of warm water. This will rinse your razor just as well as running water, with far less waste of water. 11. Use your dishwasher and clothes washer for only full loads Automatic dishwashers and clothes washers should be fully loaded for optimum water conservation. Most makers of dishwashing soap recomend not pre-rinsing dishes which is a big water savings. With clothes washers, avoid the permanent press cycle, which uses an added 20 liters (5 gallons) for the extra rinse. For partial loads, adjust water levels to match the size of the load. Replace old clothes washers. New Energy Star rated washers use 35 - 50% less water and 50% less energy per load. If you're in the market for a new clothes washer, consider buying a water-saving frontload washer. 12. Minimize use of kitchen sink garbage disposal units In-sink 'garburators' require lots of water to operate properly, and also add considerably to the volume of solids in a septic tank which can lead to maintenance problems. Start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing food waste. 13. When washing dishes by hand, don't leave the water running for rinsing If your have a double-basin, fill one with soapy water and one with rinse water. If you have a single-basin sink, gather washed dishes in a dish rack and rinse them with a spray device or a panful of hot water. Dual-swivel aerators are available to make this easier. If using a dishwasher, there is usually no need to pre-rinse the dishes. 14. Don't let the faucet run while you clean vegetables Just rinse them in a stoppered sink or a pan of clean water. Use a dual-setting aerator. 15. Keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge. Running tap water to cool it off for drinking water is wasteful. Store drinking water in the fridge in a safe drinking bottle.

 Water Conservation in the Yard and Garden...

1. Plant drought-resistant lawns, shrubs and plants If you are planting a new lawn, or overseeding an existing lawn, use drought-resistant grasses such as the new "Eco-Lawn". Many beautiful shrubs and plants thrive with far less watering than other species. Replace herbaceous perennial borders with native plants. Native plants will use less water and be more resistant to local plant diseases. Consider applying the principles of xeriscape for a low-maintenance, drought resistant yard. Plant slopes with plants that will retain water and help reduce runoff. Group plants according to their watering needs. 2. Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants

Mulch will slow evaporation of moisture while discouraging weed growth. Adding 2 - 4 inches of organic material such as compost or bark mulch will increase the ability of the soil to retain moisture. Press the mulch down around the dripline of each plant to form a slight depression which will prevent or minimize water runoff. For information about different mulch materials and their best use, click here. 4. Don't water the gutter Position your sprinklers so water lands on the lawn or garden, not on paved areas. Also, avoid watering on windy days. 5. Water your lawn only when it needs it A good way to see if your lawn needs watering is to step on the grass. If it springs back up when you move, it doesn't need water. If it stays flat, the lawn is ready for watering. Letting the grass grow taller (to 3") will also promote water retention in the soil. Most lawns only need about 1" of water each week. During dry spells, you can stop watering altogether and the lawn will go brown and dormant. Once cooler weather arrives, the morning dew and rainfall will bring the lawn back to its usual vigor. This may result in a brown summer lawn, but it saves a lot of water. 6.Deep-soak your lawn When watering the lawn, do it long enough for the moisture to soak down to the roots where it will do the most good. A light sprinkling can evaporate quickly and tends to encourage shallow root systems. Put an empty tuna can on your lawn - when it's full, you've watered about the right amount. Visit our natural lawn care page for more information. 7. Water during the early parts of the day; avoid watering when it's windy Early morning is generally better than dusk since it helps prevent the growth of fungus. Early watering, and late watering, also reduce water loss to evaporation. Watering early in the day is also the best defence against slugs and other garden pests. Try not to water when it's windy - wind can blow sprinklers off target and speed evaporation. 8. Add organic matter and use efficient watering systems for shrubs, flower beds and lawns Adding organic material to your soil will help increase its absorption and water retention. Areas which are already planted can be 'top dressed' with compost or organic matter. You can greatly reduce the amount of water used for shrubs, beds and lawns by: - the strategic placement of soaker hoses - installing a rain barrel water catchment system - installing a simple drip-irrigation system Avoid over-watering plants and shrubs, as this can actually diminish plant health and cause yellowing of the leaves. When hand watering, use a variable spray nozzle for targeted watering.

9. Don't run the hose while washing your car Clean the car using a pail of soapy water. Use the hose only for rinsing - this simple practice can save as much as 150 gallons when washing a car. Use a spray nozzle when rinsing for more efficient use of water. Better yet, use a waterless car washing system; there are several brands, such as EcoTouch, which are now on the market. 10. Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks 11. Check for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets and couplings Leaks outside the house may not seem as bad since they're not as visible. But they can be just as wasteful as leaks indoors. Check frequently to keep them drip-free. Use hose washers at spigots and hose connections to eliminate leaks. People waste water in their homes without even realizing it. We have become so accustomed to have a 24 hour supply of water to meet all of our needs from cooking, to cleaning, to drinking, that we sometimes forget that we do not have an infinite supply of water. Besides using renewable energy in the home to cut back on the use of electricity, we must also learn how to save our water supply. Here are a few tips on how to do so. The first thing you should do is check for leaks in taps, pipes, and dishwasher hoses which can cause over 2,000 litres of water per month to be wasted. Repairing any leaks will save you a ton of money and you will also be saving the environment. In the same way that you can buy renewable energy, you can also buy water efficient taps that will make the most of your water and will ensure that you are not wasting any while the tap is running. To save both water and energy, if you're not already using green energy, then you should wait until your dishwasher is completely full before running it. On average, dishwashers use approximately 40 litres of water per load, but thanks to features that some dishwasher have, you can specify that it is a light load, or rinse only, or air dry. All of these features allow you to save both water and energy. By using renewable energy in your home and cutting back on the amount of water you use in a day you will be doing your part in saving our ozone layer. On top of that, you will also be preventing a whole in your wallet.