Drudge points to an article about Nevada water policy by the BBC (pretty local and esoteric for a news agency half a world away). Aside from the issue at hand, I'm struck by the rather balanced tone of the article, which is contrary to my expectations given the BBC's reputation as a leftist organ. Sure, the article is about an environmental concern that won't take shape for 20 years, but the advocates for changing current policy are identified as "environmental activists" and their motivations are actually attributed to their own person gain rather than being the last best hope of humanity. No one was interviewed who had a contrary opinion, but I really did learn a lot about how water is used in Las Vegas, and the casinos weren't vilified.
But this is one of "Sin City's" greatest myths. Local hotels account for just 7% of the area's total water usage, according to the Southern Nevada Water Authority."The hotel casinos use only 30% of their water allocation on outdoor use, while 70% is used indoors in rooms and kitchens and that water is reclaimed and used again," says Cruz.
"Even though the Bellagio has the largest water feature on the Strip, it benefits from ground water. We are consuming less water than when it was functioning as a golf course when it was the old Dunes (hotel)."
Interesting article, a little light on substance. For isntantce it doesn't go into the water reuse where Las Vegas can take a gallon of water from Lake Mead for every gallon of reclaimed water it discharges into Lake Mead.
I believe they also just finished water banking agreements with MWD to inject water for storage as ground water (effective for the lack of losses through evaporation).
Of course one day water issues can come to a vote and they may just screw themselves over much like the voters of Southern California did in regards to the State Water Project. Or not develop enough storage capacity for water, much like we have done in Southern California. Heck they may have a horrid Governor (Gray Davis) who will threaten to dump drinking water into the ocean as a politcal tool to get what he wants.
Mike, check out the new Wired. Great article on changing (recycling) human urine to drinkable water. Developed for the space program, it is already in use in remote villages. Makes water for $.04 a gallon using foot power. http://wired.com
Nice idea, but toatally impracitcal to the way our municipal wastewater systems are constructed. I'll pick up the article and read some more of it, but even in private residences I'd shy against the idea, because you just aren't sure of what people have in their urine and if it can be removed by the system.
I'd also like to how the cost is broken down per gallon. What the expected life is of the equipment and the such. Also what kind of biproducts are generated, I suspect they uses some kind of membrabe system, which means you would generate some kind of brine discharge.
I read a few of the articles about gray water being used today for things like parks and freeways. They said even that was drinkable, but would be difficult for the PR side of things.
Gray water is a little different, actually quite a bit differnet from they water they use to irrigate freeways and parks.
If there's a side that the BBC takes, it's always the opposite of whoever they're interviewing. Their broadcast news has gotten too clangorous in the way they relentlessly badger as the devil's advocate, as if the truth will only come out if they press their guests harder.
Example, yesterday, paraphrased:
BBC to NASA rep: So this is going to be a dangerous spacewalk?
NASA: Yes, but we've got to do it.
BBC: But couldn't something go wrong?
NASA: Well, yes, of course, but this is the only recourse at this time.
BBC: So, but, there isn't a Plan B?