There are actions that many entities can take to reduce their water consumption. Suppose you are an employee of the Comision Nacional del Agua (the National Water Commission) in Mexico. Your job is to help the federal government identify and support water saving activities.
Of the eight actions below, which four would you support to further water conservation initiatives?
A student group encourages people to use graywater to water their plants. A large farm increases the depth of its wells. A city decreases the cost of water during a drought. A citrus farm buys waste water from a fish farm to water its citrus trees. A state diverts a border river toward the center of the state. A coal-fueled power plant reduces its amount of evaporation. A municipality increases the surface area, but not the volume, of its local reservoir. The federal government requires that appliances have water efficiency labels.
As an employee of the Comision Nacional del Agua, I would support the following four actions to further water conservation initiatives:
A student group encourages people to use graywater to water their plants. - Promoting the use of graywater is an effective way to reduce freshwater consumption and raise awareness about water conservation practices among the community.
A coal-fueled power plant reduces its amount of evaporation. - Reducing evaporation in power plants can lead to significant water savings, especially in regions where water is scarce. This action can also set a precedent for other industries to adopt water-efficient practices.
The federal government requires that appliances have water efficiency labels. - Implementing water efficiency labels for appliances can encourage consumers to choose water-saving products, leading to reduced water consumption in households and businesses.
A citrus farm buys waste water from a fish farm to water its citrus trees. - This action promotes the recycling of water and supports sustainable agricultural practices. Utilizing treated wastewater can help conserve freshwater resources while also benefiting both farms.
The other actions, such as increasing well depth or diverting rivers, may not be sustainable or could have negative environmental impacts, while decreasing water costs during a drought could lead to increased consumption rather than conservation.