Achieving Water Security by Becoming Water Self-sufficient
“Water, water everywhere and all we want to drink, shower in, swim in, grow food with, etc.”
A Jim Bell Commentary
Many experts are projecting doom and gloom, scenarios of decreasing water supplies and increasing cost, yet the San Diego/Tijuana Region can easily become renewable water self-sufficient and even become a net water exporter.
Even if we assume the worst case scenario of zero precipitation and the complete cutoff of all imported water, the San Diego/Tijuana Region could completely replace all the freshwater it currently uses by installing PV panels over 4.3% of its roofs and parking lots. In 2015, 4.3% of our region’s roofs and parking lots will be about 9 sq. miles, or as shown in the graphic, 4.5 sq. miles on each side of the border.
The above statement is based on the following assumptions:
1. A yearly average of 5-hr. of sunlight per day,
2. 1,000 sq. feet of roof and parking lot per capita,
3. An average potable water consumption level of 180 gallons per capita per day,
4. A 2015 regional population of 6 million people,
5. That 70 gallons of freshwater can be extracted from seawater per kWh of electricity consumed through reverse osmosis (RO)
6. PV (photovoltaic) panels 15% efficient at converting sunlight into electricity, (Commercially available panels are already pushing efficiencies of 20% or better.
There are opportunities for a student to explore various ways for the San Diego/Tijuana Region to become more water self-sufficient. Possible research topics include:
* Case study of the Carlsbad Desalination Project
* Mapping of areas utilizing recycled water technologies
* An analysis of consumer resistance to “Toilet to Tap” programs
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