Water Research Essay

Submitted By Jastauff1
Words: 1290
Pages: 6
Open Document
GPH 314
Water Research Project
Joel Stauffer

Over 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water, yet in the 21st century the people who roam this majestic planet are finding themselves in a situation facing water scarcity. Water tops the charts for one of the most poorly managed resources in the United States. This is especially taking place in the southwest region of the country where drought has been an ongoing issue. Drought creates an extremely strong demand for water that our government has yet figured out how to manage correctly. The average American uses 176 gallons of water per day (water info). This number is insane considering the rate is continually going up, but there are several solutions to this ongoing problem of wasting our water. I currently live in Ahwatukee, which is a small suburb just out of Phoenix on the south side of South Mountain. Ahwatukee currently is home to 77,249 residents and continues to grow every year (Ahwatukee real estate). This means that over 13,500,000 gallons of water is used every day in this community alone. There is one main water source that supplies this community with its water. The primary source for this area is the river systems surrounding it. The Salt River, Colorado River and Verde River all help provide water to Ahwatukee. The Arizona government and other agencies like SRP and Arizona Wildlife Management help maintain these rivers by constructing dams that create hydroelectricity. This water is then transferred into canals that run thru all parts of Phoenix distributing water to residences on the way, one being Ahwatukee. Although Ahwatukee is home to more than 75,000 residents it is primarily nothing but neighborhoods and grocery stores. This means that the only sectors affecting water demand is domestic use and agriculture. Water is mainly used in the form of domestic use because there are no big industrial companies in Ahwatukee and there is no sector for energy production. Aside from normal water appliances in the households most houses in Ahwatukee have a pool in the backyard which uses a significant amount of water as well. Water is also used in the form of agriculture because there are a few farms and ranches that subside in Ahwatukee as well. These ranches and farms use this water for irrigation purposes and for ecosystem purposes. As I stated above these sectors get their water from canals that run thru the city that have been channeled from 3 major rivers within the state. I have always thought of myself as an eco friendly person and thought I understood how important water resource management truly was. But like most people I had no idea how much water I wasted every day. I go thru 160 gallons of water on average every day. This number amazes me considering how I was raised. My parents were very strict with me growing up on the amount of water I would waste. My dad would time my showers to make sure I did not go over the five minute mark otherwise he would turn off the hot water. My father knew the importance of water demand because his best friend worked for the Salt River Project or SRP. Yet I never grasped the true understanding of how important water usage was until high school when I began going on hunting trips. This may seem like an awkward way to come to a realization but let me explain. After going on a couple hunts I witnessed how important water is to the environment and the animals that live within it. In years with little rain the actions of the animals completely change the plants lack subsidy. Now being 21 years old I would consider my water usage still to a little wasteful at times. I still catch myself taking showers way longer than needed and I will also catch myself leaving my shower on to heat up. Aside from my showers I think I do a pretty decent job of efficiently managing my water usage on a day to day basis. There are a few things that I could do though to effectively manage water better. Instead of having real grass I could
Show More

Related Documents: Water Research Essay

Water Research Paper

June 3, 2012 Water… Is it natural? Water is one of the primary substances for life and life cannot exist without it. One must consistently add fresh water to the body in order to keep it hydrated and healthy because it plays a vital role in nearly every bodily function. In addition, water is essential for proper digestion, nutrient absorption, and chemical reactions. Is water natural? Imagine not being able to drink clean water as a result of pollution. Water pollution is a very…

Words 1163 - Pages 5

Research Report On Sparkling Water

RESEARCH REPORT ON SPARKLING WATER SUBMITTED BY: YUEXIU (ANITA) WANG SUBMITTED TO: JOHN COWPER Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary 2. Introduction 3. Methods 4. Results 5. Discussion / Interpretation of Results 6. Conclusion 7. Recommendations Sparkling Water Research Summary Executive Summary (Summary or Abstract) Those of us who find regular water boring often choose sparkling water as a more satisfying alternative, “Is sparkling…

Words 2155 - Pages 9

Research Paper On Water Desalination

Water. We all utilize it at least once a day. Brushing our teeth, showering, and even drinking water are just a few of the ways we use it in our lives. But with the issue of climate change being put in the limelight, much of our fresh water, located in the ice sheets, is melting, causing a reduction in the freshwater available for us to harness. As a result, water scarcity is an issue that will only continue to grow in magnitude, and so the focus should be on implementing more desalinization of ocean…

Words 2922 - Pages 12

Water Hyacinth Research Paper

Water hyacinth is a beautiful plant native to South America. Its beauty has attracted and inspired people to introduce the invasive plant in different regions around the world. Though a lovely addition to an aquarium or small ponds, the plant has eradicated many countries and remains a serious ecological problem in modern day. Growing at an explosive rate, the invasive plant forms dense bed that floats on top of different bodies of water. Without its natural enemies, it is almost impossible to control…

Words 1369 - Pages 6

Water Rail Research Paper

The Water Rail is a bird of the rail family found across Europe, Asia and North Africa. Northern and eastern populations are migratory, but this species is a permanent resident in the warmer parts of its breeding range. It breeds in reed beds and other marshy sites with tall, dense vegetation, building its nest a little above the water level from whatever plants are available nearby. The adult is 23–28 cm (9–11 in) long, and, like other rails, has a body that is flattened laterally to allow it easier…

Words 1111 - Pages 5

Water Pollution Research Paper

Current Environmental Issue Chosen Topic: Water Pollution Chosen Area of Focus: Acid rain Article Title: Mexico: Acid rain damages mango crops Recent acid rain storms have damaged a large portion of Mexico's mango supply. Article Title: Acid Rain Has Turned Canadian Lakes into a Kind of Jelly Acid rain has removed the calcium from the soil and has led to lakes being filled with a gooey species of plankton. Article Title: China Takes First Steps In the Fight Against Acid Rain China is the…

Words 639 - Pages 3

Bottled Water Research Paper

No Sale or Purchase of Bottled Water on Campus Last week we did a debate in class about (No Sale or Purchase of Bottled Water on Campus). We divided into two Sides agree (for) and disagree (against) and me wasonn the positive side which was agreed with SCSU should ban water in plastic bottles on campus. Each person in different side said their opinion statement and I did that, too. The against side opinion, statement was “ bottled water is convenient and easy to carry, consumers have a right to…

Words 670 - Pages 3

Water Scarcity Research Paper

1 Introduction of Water Users Body develop idea PARAGRAPH 2 Introduction of Governance Syetms Body develop idea PARAGRAPH 3 Introduction of Resource Systems Body develop idea PARAGRAPH 4 Introduction of Resource Units CONCLUSIONS Summary of the idea of essay Suggestion The relative water scarcity is ironic situation in water abundant area. It is not about the absence of water. The situation like this happened in almost of in developing country. Water, especially springs water, is a common property…

Words 857 - Pages 4

Tap Water Research Paper

Drinking tap water provides several health benefits. The EPA identifies contaminants to regulate tap water, protecting public health (Drinking Water Contaminants). The Agency and other partners strive to set regulatory limits for the certain contaminant standards required by the Safe Water Drinking Act (SWDA) in public water systems (Drinking Water Contaminants). Unlike bottled water, tap water is transported through pipes into our homes which can majorly affect us if not hygienic. Tap Water has a…

Words 267 - Pages 2

Bottled Water Research Paper

not. Bottled water have destroyed our oceans by pollution. People everyday drop trash by the ocean and it washes into the ocean. Which is not good because animals are dying because they miss take trash for food and then after they die. Because or what they have in their stomachs. People's Health is very important when it comes to water. People ask the same question all the time.” Why do people get sick from just drinking water “? Well its because some companies don't inspect their water. And most…

Words 1011 - Pages 5