Water?

[jonjel]

I was half watching a program on local TV last night about 'The drought of 2012' but missed the early part.

One 'factoid' that was trotted out was that 40% of our water goes to power stations for cooling.

What?

Most power stations I have seen use river water, or does that count? Does anyone have any info on tat?

Other interesting data was more plausible, such as only 3% of our water is used as potable water, and that around 25% of all water is lost through leakage in the system. I don't know if that includes seepage through the clay linings of reservoirs, but I doubt it.

Given that we have a bit of a problem looming, brought on in part by both waste and the short term easy option by some companies to use bore holes thus draining the underground aquifers, what do you bright engineers think could, and should, be done?

(I will then tell you why it won't work!)

[marchesarosa]

We have a few comments on the humour sub-board, jonjel, about this programme hosted by our own climate sceptic, and Look North Yorkshire weatherman, Paul Hudson.

Yes, one quarter lost to leaks, apparently, compared to 10% in parts of Europe. I didn't tune in until part way through so I missed the bit about power station usage. What is it for? Condensing the steam from the turbines? It wouldn't be drinking water, surely? But even if it's not, the withdrawal of water from rivers is bound to have an impact where water supply is under pressure for other reasons, like escalating consumer demand and artesian well depletion.

What to do? Build a few more reservoirs in places where it rains? NIMBY syndrome and "environmentalists" stand in the way of any reasonable proposal. Apart from increasing charges what can else be done to discourage waste?

Move water around via the canal system? That has been suggested.

This island is not short of water at all, really. It's just that far too many people are in the wrong place!

[rsmith7]

We need a government with the balls to build the reservoirs and tell the eco loonies and nimbys to bugger off.
Simple.

[jonjel]

Mr Smith,

have some sympathy with that, but the days of telling a farmer that his prime site is worth £2 because it happens to be in the centre of a reservoir have gone.

That, and the fact that if you build a reservoir where the water is needed, say East Anglia, you will wait a very long time before t is filled if you look at the rainfall pattern.

Problem No 1 is the stuff is heavy and expensive to move, and it's cheap innit, cos it falls out of the sky for free.

[StuartG]

I heard today that the Lords are discussing water charge increases to promote the use of less water.
Good idea, make it as dear as petrol. That'll teach us., and give the French? and German?? shareholders more money.

[StuartG]

Jonjel,
The water that has fallen just recently is wasted because it flows to the rivers and then to the sea. That's what the land was for, to make reservoirs, that they sold off for building. So this rainfall counts for nothing. What a bunch of wasters.

[rsmith7]

May 3, 2012 22:49:27 GMT 1 jonjel said:

Mr Smith,

have some sympathy with that, but the days of telling a farmer that his prime site is worth £2 because it happens to be in the centre of a reservoir have gone.

That, and the fact that if you build a reservoir where the water is needed, say East Anglia, you will wait a very long time before t is filled if you look at the rainfall pattern.

Problem No 1 is the stuff is heavy and expensive to move, and it's cheap innit, cos it falls out of the sky for free.

Pay the farmers the going rate plus an annuity and he'll take your arm off. Farming is dying on it's arse so they'll be glad to get out. (mostly)
As of 30th April, Hanningfield reservoir in Essex is 97% full.
www.facebook.com/hanningfield

After a "major drought".

[marchesarosa]

I'm inclined to agree with your view about farmers jumping at the opportunity to sell up, Mr Smith, -especially the hill farmers of the rainy regions!

The NIMBYS in the form of the National Trust would, however, be a teensy bit more implacable, I think.

[rsmith7]

I would happily volunteer to tell the National Trust - with relish, abandon and animated body language - to F*** OFF!