Module 5

As water demand increases, water supply management requires change. Stress on our water supply system has increased, due to an increase in water demand and due to a reduced water supply. Reducing leakage loss in public water systems is an important part of water management.

Leakage is usually the largest component of distribution loss. Leakage in public water supply systems results in loss of purified drinking water and wasting the energy and material resources used in abstraction, transportation, and treatment. Leakage of water results in secondary economic loss in the form of damage to the pipe network. Public health concerns are also a result, as water leakage increases the risk of bacterial contamination of water resources for human consumption in cities, and can increase pollution loads into the environment.

Growing Blue™ is a tool designed by Veolia Water to help us study water issues. It was created by Veolia Water in consultation with The Nature Conservancy, the U.S. Water Alliance, and many other organizations.

The Growing Blue Tool is based on data from 2005 and allows the user to compare the stress on the water system in terms of a Water Stress Index. The Water Stress Index is defined in terms of a number of key indicators, including: water availability, water use (withdrawal), water import, water loss (leakage and theft), and a “water footprint.”

First:

1. Review
2. Watch
   • Safe Drinking Water Is Essential – “Treatment” and “Distribution” sections
     • First Select a language, then click on “Treatment” and “Distribution”.  Be sure to click on Play Documentary in each section to view the included video.
3. Follow these instructions to guide you through some investigations within the Growing Blue Tool.

Next, post to the discussion board:

1. Post the Sustainability and Quality scores for your state. Also post the Water Stress Index and your state’s ranking for the six quantities that characterize water stress (Water Impact Index, Municipal Water Withdrawal, etc.).

2. Review other postings. In particular, find classmates whose states have (1) similar Sustainability and Quality scores and (2) very different Sustainability and Quality scores from your home state. If you are one of the first to post, you may also post information about another state(s) similar or very different from yours, so that you can start thinking about your final posting (#4, below).

3. As you review the postings of classmates, discuss among yourselves: Do you notice any patterns of water use (municipal, agricultural, industrial) in the information being shared? As always, you are required to comment on the posts of at least two of your classmates.

4. Your last post to the discussion board, which is required, should be a summary of the patterns you have discovered and your thoughts on why these may exist. Your discussions and summary should be in terms of the following characteristics of each state or country:

A. Geography

B. Population

C. Agriculture

D. Industry