topic Re: Water: Californian and Israeli practices in Community Chat

Water: Californian and Israeli practices

GingerPeach — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 02:52:27 GMT

I should preface this by saying that California, and even other Western states to differing degrees, are in a major drought. I just saw a fascinating (too short) local news feature on California's approaches to water use in comparison with Israel's.

Israel has five desalinization plants providing about 50% of Israel's drinking water. California has only just built its first plant that can provide about one quarter of the drinking water for the city of San Diego.

Israel uses about 60% of its recycled water for its agricultural needs while California uses only about 7% recycled water for irrigation. Israel saves more agricultural water as well by using drip irrigation for 70% of its crops while California waters about 40% of its crops using drip.

Israel generates more recycled water than it can even store.

For those who are in Calfornia or are just interested, here is a link to that feature with even more information.

The story was fascinating and hopeful, even though California has more geographical variety than does Israel:

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/investigations/Surviving-the-Drought-Solutions-to-California-Water-Crisis-From-Israel-339638362.html

Re: Water: Californian and Israeli practices

Lila Belle — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 03:11:52 GMT

thanks for posting this !

For anyone whose ever been to Israel I'm sure they were very impressed by the responsible attitude of it's citizens and those beautiful green spaces.

Re: Water: Californian and Israeli practices

Mominohio — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 03:15:55 GMT

Very interesting. Now, when we find someone who has the answers, and a system like this up and working, are we going to be smart enough to observe, learn and impliment? Probably only if there is big money in it for the powers that be. Government, epsecailly at the highest levels, aren't really looking for solutions, they are looking for power and money. If it can't be had, it won't get done.

Re: Water: Californian and Israeli practices

sandraskates — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 03:39:25 GMT

While California is in a world of hurt, I tend to wonder about the environmental impact of mass desalinization.

Where does the salt go?

I've heard that small fish can get caught as the water gets sucked in.

Re: Water: Californian and Israeli practices

sunshine45 — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 03:32:14 GMT

@sandraskates wrote:
While Californida is in a world of hurt, I tend to wonder about the environmental impact of mass desalinization.
Where does the salt go?
I've heard that small fish can get caught as the water gets sucked in.

here is a good, fairly recent article on the pros and cons of desalination plants in california.

http://ww2.kqed.org/science/2015/03/30/why-isnt-desalination-the-answer-to-all-californias-water-problems/

Re: Water: Californian and Israeli practices

sandraskates — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 03:44:44 GMT

Thank you @sunshine45.

Re: Water: Californian and Israeli practices

GingerPeach — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 03:51:15 GMT

@sunshine45 wrote:
@sandraskates wrote:
While Californida is in a world of hurt, I tend to wonder about the environmental impact of mass desalinization.
Where does the salt go?
I've heard that small fish can get caught as the water gets sucked in.

here is a good, fairly recent article on the pros and cons of desalination plants in california.

http://ww2.kqed.org/science/2015/03/30/why-isnt-desalination-the-answer-to-all-californias-water-problems/

Thank you for this, @sunshine45

(And I will need to switch my silly word "desalinization" to "desalination" from now on!)

Even if California didn't go much farther with desalination, simply increasing drip irrigation and using recycled water for crops would be of enormous benefit.

Re: Water: Californian and Israeli practices

Desertdi — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 04:23:02 GMT

The Salt River Project (AZ) has been operating for 100 years and is one of the most successful water management resources in the country. So.....it is possible to have water in the desert................ Of course, we don't have the huge population, so it's probably not the answer for everyone.

Re: Water: Californian and Israeli practices

Lovethesea — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 04:31:42 GMT

@GingerPeach

Thank you, Homegirl.

Some of this is addressed in "Made in Israel" available for viewing on CBN at: cbn dot com/special/made-in-israel/

Re: Water: Californian and Israeli practices

Kachina624 — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 06:24:44 GMT

Desalination is an extremely expensive process. Expect water rates to soar where it's implemented.

Much of the Southwest has been in serious drought for years so we're slightly amused at California's sudden realization that it hasn't rained there much lately. I went almost a year without measurable rain at my house in 2013.

I can say we have few private swimming pools, few grassy lawns and our golf courses were designed to be watered with recycled water. In the Rio Grande Valley South of Albuquerque and in small farming communities up and down the river, farms are watered from centuries old acaquias, a type of hand dug ditch. Much of the Rio water is apportioned to Texas by treaty.

So you Californians aren't the only ones with drought problems.

Re: Water: Californian and Israeli practices

GingerPeach — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 06:30:56 GMT

I said "western states" in the first post. In addition, this discussion is not and has never been about pitting one state against another. Not at all.

Re: Water: Californian and Israeli practices

Tinkrbl44 — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 07:45:39 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
Desalination is an extremely expensive process. Expect water rates to soar where it's implemented.

Much of the Southwest has been in serious drought for years so we're slightly amused at California's sudden realization that it hasn't rained there much lately. I went almost a year without measurable rain at my house in 2013.

I can say we have few private swimming pools, few grassy lawns and our golf courses were designed to be watered with recycled water. In the Rio Grande Valley South of Albuquerque and in small farming communities up and down the river, farms are watered from centuries old acaquias, a type of hand dug ditch. Much of the Rio water is apportioned to Texas by treaty.

So you Californians aren't the only ones with drought problems.

This isn't new information, and California has been aware of its drought for a loooong time. Food prices have increased nationwide, in part, because our crops aren't producing as much.

Re: Water: Californian and Israeli practices

biancardi — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 11:47:58 GMT

Isreal is very small compared to California. Ag in CA is mainly inland as well. Also, Isreal government is more involved with businesses and there are some groups here that want the government to not get involved.

Look at the lightbulb discussion.

Re: Water: Californian and Israeli practices

ms traditional — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 12:43:40 GMT

sadly we in Cali have not been well-led on this issue. and we are paying the price.

Re: Water: Californian and Israeli practices

bonnielu — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 13:15:16 GMT

Interesting, thanks for posting this. Because of the size and "climate" of Israel it would seem that necessity is truly the mother of invention.

Re: Water: Californian and Israeli practices

151949 — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 13:45:44 GMT

Since most of the southwest is actually a desert, why are people surprised that there is an extended drought there? Aren't deserts expected to be arid?

Here in florida where i live we have water a plenty - too much often times - but they still practice the use of recycling dirty water for irrigation. As much as I hate the water spots on my windows - I can appreciate the reasoning behind it.

Re: Water: Californian and Israeli practices

silkyk — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 14:58:06 GMT

@ms traditional wrote:
sadly we in Cali have not been well-led on this issue. and we are paying the price.

Yes we are. And where I am the wineries are getting bigger and bigger and bigger and sucking more and more water out of the ground.(not to mention shooting any poor deer or other critters that stray into their miles and miles of grapes) The politicos are screaming that the general public must conserve but the BIG wine industry just ignores them and goes it's merry way. I was shocked on our last trip up north to see all the forests being laid low for more grapes! It is out of control. What about all that water they use and not a peep out of TPTB. Big money gets it's way.

Re: Water: Californian and Israeli practices

ms traditional — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 23:21:35 GMT

if we had more catchment............!!!

@silkyk wrote:
@ms traditional wrote:
sadly we in Cali have not been well-led on this issue. and we are paying the price.
Yes we are. And where I am the wineries are getting bigger and bigger and bigger and sucking more and more water out of the ground.(not to mention shooting any poor deer or other critters that stray into their miles and miles of grapes) The politicos are screaming that the general public must conserve but the BIG wine industry just ignores them and goes it's merry way. I was shocked on our last trip up north to see all the forests being laid low for more grapes! It is out of control. What about all that water they use and not a peep out of TPTB. Big money gets it's way.

Bev Hills just got fined for lack of conservation. but really, we should have built many more reservoirs over the years. but certain groups made sure we didn't.

Re: Water: Californian and Israeli practices

DiAnne — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 00:40:57 GMT

@silkyk wrote:
@ms traditional wrote:
sadly we in Cali have not been well-led on this issue. and we are paying the price.
Yes we are. And where I am the wineries are getting bigger and bigger and bigger and sucking more and more water out of the ground.(not to mention shooting any poor deer or other critters that stray into their miles and miles of grapes) The politicos are screaming that the general public must conserve but the BIG wine industry just ignores them and goes it's merry way. I was shocked on our last trip up north to see all the forests being laid low for more grapes! It is out of control. What about all that water they use and not a peep out of TPTB. Big money gets it's way.

That is the way it has always been....

Re: Water: Californian and Israeli practices

GingerPeach — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 00:50:10 GMT

@biancardi wrote:
Isreal is very small compared to California. Ag in CA is mainly inland as well. Also, Isreal government is more involved with businesses and there are some groups here that want the government to not get involved.

Look at the lightbulb discussion.

@biancardi

The differences were recognized (including topography and geograph) and brought out in the news story(ies). No one is saying any of what anyone else is doing is a total solution. Simply that there are things to be learned and used as applicable.