Peak Water

It’s no secret that 2012 was marked by a record-breaking drought in the United States. The drought first materialized as smear across the map along the southeast region this spring when the lack of snow made for low soil moisture levels. Ultimately the drought engulfed 80% of the contiguous United States.

Two years ago Europe saw some similar drought conditions which prompted a series of programs and policies aimed at conserving water. Irrigation was the biggest conservation target for European Union programs. Agriculture accounts for approximately 64% of water use on the continent, followed by energy (20%), public water supply (12%) and industry (4%). 

An annual international conference, held in Sweden this year, took place at the end of August just as drought cut its largest swath out of the United States. 

Crop yields across the Midwest of the United States shriveled up, barge traffic was limited along the Mississippi River basin because of low levels in-stream, urban and some rural water restrictions were put in place, and across the ocean this water conference took place. 

A lot of the international conference focused on agricultural water issues. Drip irrigation systems, food security, etc. But there was one term ‘peak water’ that began to bubble up from several presentations and out of the mouths of the participants.

The term ‘peak water’ refers to a turn of phrase coined by Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute, back in 2010 with his colleague Meena Palanippan. Gleick and Palianippan made the case that many areas of the world may have already surpassed the greatest possible rate of water consumption. 

The concept is focused more on the geographical issues related to water rather than actual water supplies. It's not that the world is running out of water but that water isn't located where people need it, or where it can be easily transported. 

The rapid population expansion in the desert southwest region of the United States along the Colorado River basin, for example, has grappled with this problem for almost years. 

The thought behind ‘peak water’ suggests that the world has surpassed the sustainable development of water resources, similar to oil supplies. For the time being  we make up the difference by pumping groundwater. As a resident that sits atop the Ogallala Aquifer, I'm no stranger to conversations about groundwater depletion. 

In the United States groundwater offers a source of drinking water for about half the total population and nearly all of the rural population, and it provides over 50 billion gallons per day for agricultural needs. Rainfall will replenish some of the water reserves, but not at the same rate they’re being depleted.

The 2012 Drought conditions shone a bright, hot light on the fact that water is essential to food security, public health, and promoting economic development. More than that water the underpinning of environmental sustainability.  

I'll be interested to hear more bubblings  about 'peak water'. I'll be more interested, however, in some of the solutions offered.