International Defense Security & Technology Your trusted Source for News, Research and Analysis
Related Articles
Water is the most precious resource for sustaining life and survival of living world, but we are losing fresh water at an astonishing rate: Climate change is resulting in disappearing of glaciers and severe droughts, groundwater being pumped out faster than natural processes can replace it. Much of the world faces a hotter and drier future under climate change, according to scientists. Rainfall – including the monsoons that fortify agriculture in south Asia – will become more unpredictable. Storm surges could contaminate freshwater reservoirs.
The Overall global water demand is projected to increase by 55 percent on the way to 2050 led by countries like Brazil, Russia, India, Indonesia and China (BRIICS) to satisfy the needs of ever-growing population —a staggering 9.6 billion people by 2050. In countries like China, the largest growth rate in water use will be in the industrial and domestic sectors according to the Water Resources Group. And new fault lines are emerging with energy production. America’s oil and gas rush is putting growing demands on a water supply already under pressure from drought and growing populations.
Water scarcity is a major challenge facing the world today, with millions of people lacking access to clean water. The problem is exacerbated by population growth, climate change, and aging infrastructure. The good news is that new water technologies are being developed that offer solutions to the water crisis.
For in depth understanding on Water Management technology and applications please visit: The Future of Water Management: Innovations and Sustainability
Water Technologies
New water technologies are being developed and implemented around the world to help address the growing water crisis. One area of focus is real-time analytics, which allows for the monitoring and management of water resources in real-time. This can help water managers respond more quickly to changes in water availability and quality, improving efficiency and reducing waste.
Machine learning and AI are also being used to optimize water management systems and predict future water needs. By analyzing data and identifying patterns, these technologies can improve water efficiency and reduce the risk of water shortages.
Biotechnology is another area of focus, with researchers working on new water treatment methods and improving the efficiency of existing methods. These efforts can help to reduce the amount of chemicals and energy required for water treatment, making the process more sustainable and cost-effective.
Water infrastructure financing is also critical to addressing the water crisis. Many communities lack access to safe and reliable water sources due to inadequate infrastructure. Financing options that support the development and maintenance of water infrastructure can help to ensure that communities have access to the water they need.
Wastewater treatment is another important area of focus. By recycling and reusing wastewater, this technology can reduce the demand for fresh water and improve water efficiency. This is particularly important in regions where water is scarce, as it allows for more efficient use of available resources.
Industrial sludge management is another technology that can help to manage the waste generated by industrial processes. This technology can reduce the environmental impact of industrial activities and improve water quality.
Finally, data modeling is being used to analyze water usage patterns and predict future water needs. This technology allows for more efficient and effective water management, as water managers can better understand how water is being used and where it is needed most.
Desalination
Desalination is the process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater to make it drinkable. This technology has been used for decades in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates, but the high cost and energy consumption have limited its widespread adoption. However, recent advances in desalination technology have made it more affordable and energy-efficient. For example, reverse osmosis membranes have become more durable, and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power can be used to power desalination plants.
Seawater desalination
Desalination is a process that takes away mineral components from saline water. More generally, desalination refers to the removal of salts and minerals from a target substance. Saltwater is desalinated to produce water suitable for human consumption or irrigation. The by-product of the desalination process is brine.
More than 1.8 billion people live in countries where fresh water is scarce. In many arid regions, seawater or salty groundwater is plentiful but costly to desalinate. In addition, many industries pay high disposal costs for wastewater with high salt concentrations that cannot be treated using conventional technologies. Reverse osmosis, the most common desalination technology, requires greater and greater pressure as the salt content of water increases and cannot be used to treat water that is extremely salty, or hypersaline.
Desalination is used on many seagoing ships and submarines. Most of the modern interest in desalination is focused on cost-effective provision of fresh water for human use. Along with recycled wastewater, it is one of the few rainfall-independent water sources. Desalination is particularly relevant in dry countries such as Australia, which traditionally have relied on collecting rainfall behind dams for water.
Due to its energy consumption, desalinating sea water is generally more costly than fresh water from surface water or groundwater, water recycling and water conservation. However, these alternatives are not always available and depletion of reserves is a critical problem worldwide.Desalination processes are usually driven by either thermal (in the case of distillation) or electrical (in the case of reverse osmosis) as the primary energy types.
Space Technologies
Space technology can play a crucial role in addressing the water crisis globally, especially in water-stressed countries like Pakistan. The efficient use of water resources can be achieved through various measures such as well-defined water property rights, reuse of seawater through desalination, and building additional water storage facilities.
In addition, space technology is being used to monitor and manage water resources. Satellite-based remotely sensed data and geographic information systems (GIS) can provide accurate data and information products, improving water management and helping to address the water crisis. With the continued development and implementation of new water technologies, there is hope that we can solve the global water crisis and ensure that everyone has access to the water they need.
Rezatec, a UK-based company, is an example of how satellite data, artificial intelligence, and data modeling can be used to solve some of the biggest challenges facing the water industry. Their solutions include predicting where leaks will occur in a water network, identifying sources of pollution to improve water quality, and optimizing asset management. By using space technology, Rezatec helps its customers globally to improve their margins, enhance competitive advantage and optimize asset management.
In conclusion, space technology has immense potential in addressing the global water crisis, and companies like Rezatec are leading the way in using innovative solutions to help manage and conserve water resources. Governments and industries need to recognize the significance of space technology and invest in it to address the water crisis and other global challenges.
Smart Water Grids
Smart water grids are a technology that utilizes sensors and data analytics to monitor and manage water distribution networks. This technology is a form of the “internet of things” (IoT), where devices are interconnected and can communicate with each other to share data.
Smart water grids can help utilities to detect leaks in pipes and reduce water loss. In some cities, water loss can account for up to 30% of the total water supply. This is a major issue that not only wastes water but also results in higher costs for water utilities and customers.
With smart water grids, utilities can quickly identify leaks and respond to them more effectively, reducing water loss and saving resources. The technology can also help to optimize water distribution, which can reduce the need for new infrastructure and extend the life of existing infrastructure.
Smart water grids can also provide better insight into water usage patterns, which can help utilities to better manage their water resources. For example, utilities can identify areas where water demand is high and adjust their water supply accordingly. This can help to prevent water shortages and ensure that everyone has access to the water they need.
Overall, smart water grids are a promising technology that can help to improve water management and reduce water loss. With the continued development and implementation of this technology, we can improve the efficiency and sustainability of our water systems and help to address the global water crisis.
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the science of manipulating materials on a molecular scale. In the context of water, nanotechnology can be used to filter out contaminants such as bacteria and viruses, as well as heavy metals and organic pollutants. One example is graphene oxide membranes, which are thin sheets of carbon that can filter out contaminants while allowing water molecules to pass through. Nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize water treatment by providing a more efficient and cost-effective way to purify water.
Water Recycling
Water recycling is a process of treating wastewater to remove impurities and contaminants and making it reusable for various purposes such as irrigation, industrial processes, and even potable water. Recycling water can significantly reduce the pressure on freshwater resources, particularly in water-scarce regions.
There are several methods for water recycling, including physical, chemical, and biological treatment processes. After treatment, the recycled water is disinfected to ensure it meets the required water quality standards.
Water recycling is already being used in various countries, including Israel, Singapore, and Australia, to combat water scarcity. In Israel, more than 85% of the wastewater is treated and reused for agricultural purposes. In Singapore, NEWater, a brand of high-grade reclaimed water, is used for industrial and commercial purposes, and even for potable water in some cases.
However, despite its potential benefits, water recycling still faces some challenges, such as high costs, public perception, and the need for proper management and regulation to ensure the recycled water is safe and meets the required quality standards.
New zero energy technology to produce drinking water
Crystal Lagoons, a patented technology developer of giant crystalline lagoons, has developed a new technology to deal with a shortage of potable fresh water, a problem that affects more than a billion people worldwide.
The experimental desalination technology project is a ‘zero energy’ solution that would use wasted energy from Northern Chile’s 12 thermo-electric plants to potentially generate enough potable water for the country’s entire population, said a statement. This wasted energy is the equivalent of eight times the world’s renewable energy capacity and has huge global potential, it said.
The technology has already been patented in the US via the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (UNPTO) Green Fast Track programme, which gives preference to granting patents to technologies that have a high ecological impact and environmental contribution, according to TradeArabia News Service
Water Conservation Technologies
In the short term, we can’t increase our supply of water, but we can influence our consumption. The city’s ’Day Zero’ awareness campaign is targeting Cape Town citizens around how to change their behaviors. If we continue to consume water at the rate we’ve been consuming and it doesn’t rain, at a certain point in time — Day Zero — we’ll hit the 13 percent reserves, and that’s when we’ll need to take more drastic action in terms of how we allocate water.
The improvement in Water Efficiency is required, which are hovering at around 1-2% per year to address the supply-demand gap. California, for example, enacted historic new water conservation rules in 2015, mandating urban residents to reduce water use by 25 percent. Water Conservation Technologies and water conservation devices need to be adopted for the benefit of the environment and future generations like GM technologies, Micro–irrigation or drip systems, Leakage detection equipment and water consumption software.
Waterless solutions like Freedom Waterless Car Wash, water-efficient irrigation systems and horticultural software, Water efficient appliances like dishwashers, showerheads, and toilets are becoming popular.
AI based water usage Optimization
AI-based water usage optimization is a promising solution to tackle water scarcity. It involves using artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze data on water usage patterns and identify areas for improvement. These algorithms can use data from various sources, such as smart meters, sensors, and weather forecasts, to optimize water usage in real-time.
One example of AI-based water usage optimization is the use of machine learning algorithms to predict water demand in a particular area. This can help water utilities and municipalities to plan and allocate resources more efficiently, and to identify areas where water conservation measures can be implemented.
Another example is the use of smart irrigation systems that use AI algorithms to optimize watering schedules based on weather data and soil moisture levels. This can help to reduce water waste and improve crop yields.
Overall, AI-based water usage optimization has the potential to revolutionize the way we manage water resources, and to help us cope with the challenges of water scarcity in a more sustainable and efficient way.
Wastewater recovery and reuse
Wastewater recovery and reuse, on the other hand, on average uses about half the energy of desalination, and costs about half as much. Yet, while the technology exists to recover a large percent of wastewater, the world today only reuses about 4 percent of its wastewater.
Israel, despite its desert terrain, meager rainfall and population growth, currently boasts a water surplus; it is reusing 85-90 percent of its wastewater. Saudi Arabia recently announced a plan to reuse 65 percent of its wastewater. Then there’s Singapore. The island city-state is reusing 30 percent of its water — punching well above its weight in terms of water reuse policies and technologies.
Solving Singapore’s water problem by Recycling of sewage
Water security has long been a national priority in Singapore as half of its current water supplies are imported from neighboring Malaysia. “We are preparing for the day that should the water agreement expire, we should be ready to fulfill our own needs,” says Chew Men Leong, Chief Executive of the Public Utilities Board.
Singapore’s strategy for a hydrated nation is four-fold: as well as importation, it includes desalinization plants, efficient catchment of rainwater and recycling of sewage. Country’s public utilities board has developed innovative membrane technology to treat wastewater known as ‘NEWater’. Through a four-step series of barriers and membranes, wastewater is made free of solids, microorganisms, and contaminants resulting in potable water supplies for use by humans and industry. After one decade, the technology meets 30 percent of Singapore’s water needs, with plans to triple volumes by 2060.
Forward Water Technologies (Canada) offers new, efficient, low cost ways to clean and recycle heavily contaminated industrial wastewater, reducing treatment costs by more than 40%. It directly impacts a user’s revenue stream, lowers energy needs up to 20x, reduces GHG output by 30-40%, and reclaims clean water for re-use.
Conclusion
New water technologies offer hope for a world facing a water crisis. Desalination, smart water grids, nanotechnology, and water recycling are just a few examples of the many innovative solutions being developed to address the challenge of water scarcity. While these technologies are not a panacea, they offer a path forward for a more sustainable and resilient water future. The challenge now is to ensure that these technologies are accessible to those who need them most, especially in the developing world. By working together, we can build a water-secure future for all.
References and Resources also include:
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-08/mu-btp080320.php
