**********
Sources can be from Well, Land-based bodies of water, vapor collection, and synthesis
Sanitation also plays an important role in all but synthesized water. I'm going to do some more research on synthesize water, but from a general knowledge you can synthesize water effectively with Hydrocarbons, and for anybody who knows General Chemistry you should see the problem of that which arises:
CH4 + 3O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O
Water isn't the only yield, Carbon dioxide is too. You can also literally just combust Oxygen with Hydrogen, as illustrated:
4H2 + O2 -> 2H2O
This requires both pure hydrogen and oxygen, not exactly easy things to get. Also, the coefficients are very high, so just to get a little water we'd need a hell lot of pure hydrogen. I know simply finding a water source and filtering it is an easier solution, but I'm really interested in figuring out a practical means of synthesizing water.
That's all for now I guess.
EDIT: CH4 is methane gas, by the way.
Now get this. What if the carbon dioxide produced is filtered to an area populated by Arhaea bacteria? They would produce methane as a byproduct of eating the carbon dioxide and water as well! Only major problem: Archaea require very hot areas to live.
**********
Would you guys agree that the easiest way to get water, in the greatest quantity, while causing the least amount of environmental damage, is through desalinization?
************
Recycling water in a micro-system:
Reusing the water with in the home is as important as within a city. The house should be designed to use the water in many steps before entering the city recycling. This will reduce the size and power consumption of the recycling plant, reduce the price (if we need to buy some from the city) or the worry of water shortage (from a well or rain water collection).
Step one: clean water storage is used in sinks, showers and other systems necessary to have clean water, then sent to a gray water holding.
Step two: grey water can by used a second time in toilets or to water indoor greenhouse produce. (people will have to become aware of what they put down the drain)
Step three: finally the grey water is used again and sent to the black water system (sewage, septic) which can vary depending on where the structure is located in relation to the center of town and agriculture. Basically, within the house you use the water three times before it is even sent to the city recycling center which greatly reduces energy costs and time consumption.
**Benifits of septic in certain locations is the later use of fertilizer, and methane collectors can be placed on them for use of power or gas appliances.
earthship.org- is a source of some designs for the plumbing and water systems. I also have his books and movie which I will be glad to share with anyone interested.
cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/healthywater/privatewell.htm- government standards for drilling wells and help for the safety of the water collected from a well.
evolveshowerheads.com- one of many companies with efficient water related products (mostly low flow shower heads)
sancorindustries.com- a variety of green plumbing solutions, from toilets that use a pint of water to composing toilets you can use in your garden, regular toilets use 3-7 gallons per flush, urinals use 5 GPF
So using the water several times within your own home and having a few specialized appliances such as low flow toilets and showers will eliminate a lot of the water issues we have in the desert. Currently, you can reduce your water bill 20-30% with these products if you don't have water wasting appliances or a pool (which evaporates quickly here). Applying an efficient and reusable water system will make water a non issue for the entire city.
This is the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) for digging wells. Apparently, it needs to be checked out before a well can be dug to make sure it won't hurt any other areas "downstream".
NRS 534.050 Permit to appropriate water required before sinking well in designated groundwater basin; requirements in undesignated areas; waivers; penalties.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2 and NRS 534.180, every person desiring to sink or bore a well in any basin or portion therein in the State designated by the State Engineer, as provided for in this chapter, must first make application to and obtain from the State Engineer a permit to appropriate the water, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 533 of NRS relating to the appropriation of the public waters, before performing any work in connection with the boring or sinking of the well.
2. Upon written application and a showing of good cause, the State Engineer may issue a written waiver of the requirements of subsection 1:
(a) For exploratory wells to be drilled to determine the availability of water or the quality of available water;
(b) To allow temporary use of the water in constructing a highway or exploring for water, oil, gas, minerals or geothermal resources; or
(c) For wells to be drilled in shallow groundwater systems and pumped to alleviate potential hazards to persons and property resulting from the rise of groundwater caused by secondary recharge. If practical, approved by the State Engineer and consistent with this chapter and chapter 533 of NRS, the withdrawn water must be used for some other beneficial use.
3. In other basins or portions of basins which have not been designated by the State Engineer no application or permit to appropriate water is necessary until after the well is sunk or bored and water developed. Before any diversion of water may be made from the well, the appropriator must make application to and obtain from the State Engineer, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 533 of NRS, a permit to appropriate the water.
4. Upon written application and a showing of good cause, the State Engineer may issue a written waiver of the requirements of subsection 3, to allow temporary use of water in constructing a highway or exploring for water, oil, gas, minerals or geothermal resources.
5. Any person using water after a permit has been withdrawn, denied, cancelled, revoked or forfeited is guilty of a misdemeanor. Each day of violation of this subsection constitutes a separate offense and is separately punishable.
