Even Flow
How large-scale water transfer projects pose big questions for society
Good morning,
Today's post is about water - specifically about how changing climate is shifting rainfall patterns. The thoughts below follow the posting from a few weeks ago about hydropower and how upstream decisions can have dramatic effects for individuals, communities, states, and countries downstream.
Thinking about this post, I just couldn't get the Dune series out of my head. The harsh reality of the desert planet and its inhabitants' reverence for water seems particularly relevant, especially as society begins exploring more technological ways of coping with shifting water levels.
Background: Climate change is shifting the distribution of rain and snowfall across the Earth while also warming temperatures. As a result, depending on where you live, you may be feeling the effects of historic flooding, historic drought, or even both.
We (fortunately) aren’t in a Dune scenario where we need full body “stillsuits,” but the dramatic flooding and drought headlines from the past few years have brought a clear reality to the public's mind - water is a finite resource that must be managed appropriately.
This likely isn't news to you if you're a farmer, policymaker, or urban planner, but the U.S. and global public is becoming increasingly aware just as large-scale water transfer projects begin in earnest on a global scale.
Having existed since the advent of irrigation, these water transfer projects are conceptually very simple - pump water from one source and move it to a location where people, agriculture, and industry need it most.
That being said, modern large-scale water transfer projects are complicated because:
They involve lengthy timelines, enormous planning efforts, and huge outlays of cash.
They involve disrupting if not outright destroying ecosystems both at the source and along the planned water pipeline route.
Depending on the location, moving significant volumes of water can require enormous amounts of energy, potentially raising carbon emissions.
They're unproven at the scale that is required.
With climate change, urbanization, and agriculture driving an increased demand for freshwater across the globe, there are a number of high-profile projects that are underway:
Making waves in the U.S. - Last summer, as the U.S. west was in the throes of a mega drought, an impromptu letter-to-the-editor from a retired engineer proposed building a pipeline connecting the Mississippi River to the Colorado River. The initial idea set off a cascade of responses as residents and experts alike weighed in on the feasibility and wisdom of moving water between two of the U.S.' most critical waterways.
Changing course in China - China's hot, humid, and wet south stands in stark contrast to the dry, dusty, and densely populated north. Initially proposed by Mao Zedong in 1952, work finally kicked off in 2002 under the name of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. The project is slowly but surely diverting the flows from China's main rivers and directing them towards Northern cities such as Beijing and Tianjin.
Weaving together waterways in India - Another state sponsored plan, India seeks to divert water from the Ken River to the Betwa River with an end goal of providing drinking water for 6.2 million people and generating 130MW of power through hydroelectric dams. As with the above-named projects, there are significant financial as well as environmental and ecological costs.
The 3 projects listed are just a small sample of the numerous large-scale water transfer efforts that are underway worldwide. As with any pipeline, railway, or construction that crosses backyards and international boundaries while diverting precious resources, expect there to be a controversy. That being said, these projects are responding to the very real challenges that have been created by large-scale urbanization, pushing ecosystems to the limit.
Key Takeaways
Decisions, decisions, decisions
The jury is out on large-scale water projects, mainly because so many of them remain in very early stages or in progress. Time will tell whether the enormous up-front investments (along with the environmental and ecological costs) are worth their weight in water, but expect to see more of these projects appear as climate change further stresses our delicate reliance on critical natural resources.
For people who stand to be affected by them, be prepared for considerable public wrangling over rights, ownership, and potential risks of such ambitious plans.
To build or to conserve
When looking at any large-scale infrastructure project, I've found it helpful to place it on a scale.
On the one end you've got conservation - think programs designed to reduce electricity consumption during hot days or government requests to control water usage.
On the other end, there are technology endeavors designed to solve humanity's greater water-food-energy issues with a combination of software, hardware, and ingenuity - think technologies such as cloud seeding to produce rainfall or carbon capture and storage technology.
Water transfer projects are a pure technology play and, while potentially beneficial, will only truly be effective when combined with strategies that change the way individuals and businesses think about and consume water.