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Water shortages.

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  • 13-04-2009 3:10pm
    #1
    thethedev
    Closed Accounts Posts: 300 ✭✭


    Please someone explain to me how we can possibly be running out of water?
    The world is 2/3rds of the stuff.
    Ok its too salty to drink but I could make it fresh with a green house if I needed to.
    And the water way in the water of our coasts is perfectly clean no ****e in there at all when you get far enough out.
    So whats the problem?


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    #2
    mike65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 88,978 ✭✭✭✭mike65


    Are you talking about Ireland or globally?


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    #3
    Macha
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 6,376 Mod ✭✭✭✭Macha


    thethedev wrote: »
    Please someone explain to me how we can possibly be running out of water?
    The world is 2/3rds of the stuff.
    Ok its too salty to drink but I could make it fresh with a green house if I needed to.
    And the water way in the water of our coasts is perfectly clean no ****e in there at all when you get far enough out.
    So whats the problem?

    You're mistaken if you think that Irish water, be it costal or from lakes and rivers, is unpolluted. An EPA report from 2006 (I think) showed that:

    -30% of our rivers have unacceptable levels of pollution
    -lakes, on the other hand are pretty good but over 16% have unacceptable levels of pollution
    -coastal & estuarine: good as well but still 10 areas classified as eutrophic
    -the biggest problem is our groundwater. 52% shows signs of bacterial pollution. The main problems are a) septic tanks and b) agricultural waste.

    But er..do you want to drink sea water? I think that water you collect in your garden would be classified as grey water so not necessarily of drinkable quality - I could be mistaken. But there's nothing stopping you setting up a water butt in your garden that could be used to water your plants, clean your car etc.

    Humans do not only need clean, unpolluted water, we also need it piped into our houses (and we need our dirty water to be cleaned) so it is not just a question of sufficient levels of clean water but also having the proper infrastructure to service the population and clean our dirty water to an acceptable level.


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    #4
    Cheeble
    Closed Accounts Posts: 224 ✭✭Cheeble


    thethedev wrote: »
    Please someone explain to me how we can possibly be running out of water?
    What makes you think we are?
    thethedev wrote: »
    Ok its too salty to drink but I could make it fresh with a green house if I needed to.
    Can you make enough, every day, for the average consumption for drinking, bathing, cooking, laundry? Can you do so every day, whatever the weather?

    Cheeble-eers


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