At the annual meeting of ASAE, American Society of Agricultural Engineers, at the University of Minnesota in 1948, I attended most of the lectures on Soil and Water. One moderator began by announcing that he had two important notices, the first not too good and the second even worse.1 "By the year 2050, two thirds of the population of the world will drink recycled sewage water."A panel member asked, "What can be worse?"2. " There won't be enough for everyone!!"Words of a modern day practical prophet.California must begin, immediately, to prepare sources of available water of ALL kinds, brackish,. saline and recycled waters available today. At the same time to map areas of water deficiency as of today and as expected by 2050! Also to make a priority list of where to start.Meanwhile it is advisable to begin using recycled water in areas like parks, open spaces, golf courses, etc.Immediately to begin replacement of leaking parts of existing pipelines in municipal areas.An additional idea to be checked by professionals, not by politicians, How to reduce water losses in open channels, dams and other bodies of water. the concrete canals that carry water from the north to the south were built long ago. How soon before they have to be replaced? By comparing costs of water loss plus maintenance/replacement of existing systems with a new pipe system designed for long life an intelligent economist will show that is cheaper to begin replacement by a new pipe system as soon as possible.\All of the above relating to the need of water, not only for drinking, but for agriculture as wellTHE ENVIRONMENT IS ALSO A USER OF WATER. All design and construction must take into account environmental costs.Most important of all, as I learned in the drainage district of the Imperial Valley 1960, is to include maintenance costs over the life of the project when comparing different possibilities. Always plan for the day after tomorrow not for what was good for a generation ago.
Published by Abba Niv, Drainage Engieer at Zafrir Weinstein Engineers PM
At the annual meeting of ASAE, American Society of Agricultural Engineers, at the University of Minnesota in 1948, I attended most of the lectures on Soil and Water. One moderator began by announcing that he had two important notices, the first not too good and the second even worse.1 "By the year 2050, two thirds of the population of the world will drink recycled sewage water."A panel member asked, "What can be worse?"2. " There won't be enough for everyone!!"Words of a modern day practical prophet.California must begin, immediately, to prepare sources of available water of ALL kinds, brackish,. saline and recycled waters available today. At the same time to map areas of water deficiency as of today and as expected by 2050! Also to make a priority list of where to start.Meanwhile it is advisable to begin using recycled water in areas like parks, open spaces, golf courses, etc.Immediately to begin replacement of leaking parts of existing pipelines in municipal areas.An additional idea to be checked by professionals, not by politicians, How to reduce water losses in open channels, dams and other bodies of water. the concrete canals that carry water from the north to the south were built long ago. How soon before they have to be replaced? By comparing costs of water loss plus maintenance/replacement of existing systems with a new pipe system designed for long life an intelligent economist will show that is cheaper to begin replacement by a new pipe system as soon as possible.\All of the above relating to the need of water, not only for drinking, but for agriculture as wellTHE ENVIRONMENT IS ALSO A USER OF WATER. All design and construction must take into account environmental costs.Most important of all, as I learned in the drainage district of the Imperial Valley 1960, is to include maintenance costs over the life of the project when comparing different possibilities. Always plan for the day after tomorrow not for what was good for a generation ago.