The document discusses the potential disaster of a "fight for water" as a result of dwindling fresh water resources exacerbated by climate change. It proposes implementing the "3 R's" - reuse, reduce, recycle - through human awareness, technological solutions, and government intervention to conserve water. Examples given include rainwater harvesting, water recycling from industries and communities, and metering household water usage to incentivize conservation. While challenges exist, promoting the 3 R's through collective global action can help prevent this crisis and its political consequences.

1. DISASTER: Fight for Water SOLUTION: Implementation of 3 R’s (Reuse, Reduce and Recycle) through Technology, Human Awareness and Government Intervention Preparation/Response/Adaptation would lead to several losses before any feasible solution is found. Hence, the saying “ Prevention is better than Cure” holds true in this regard By : Abhinav Choudhury B.E. 4th Year Chemical Engineering Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Goa Campus India

2. Fight for Water The reason for selection of his particular disaster is because it highlights a Man v/s Man Scenario. Water is Precious. Humanity is at risk if this scenario ever comes into realization. It will be “Every man for himself”. Current Technology is inadequate to supply safe water to all stratas of society. Cost of water will increase and it will lead to clashes amongst the privileged and the underprivileged, amongst countries, amongst states, amongst cities and eventually, amongst US. The world is currently on the brink of realization of such a scenario. Our present situation continuing, may delay the inevitable, but the disaster will happen eventually. It is predicted that requirement of resources will only increase, due to increasing population. Although the current situation is bad, it still needs a catalyst which will lead to this catastrophe in the next 20 years.

3. Past Experiences and Present Scenario Glimpses of such a calamity have been seen before through famines which have ravaged our land, although a major impact affecting the whole world has been averted till now. Such scenarios are a greater possibility now with ever dwindling resources and erratic climate changes. According to Nature (2010) about 80% of the World’s Population live in areas with threats to water security. Although Salt Water is abundant, Desalination of Water is a costly deal. With clean fresh water sources on the decline, turning to Salt Water sources will increase the water cost, leading to clashes amongst US for this precious resources. YET, It still doesn’t suggest a major disaster in the next 20 years. The catalyst is still missing……

4. The Catalyst (Has it already started working?) Iceberg, the size of Berlin forms in Antarctica. Giant ice island set to break off Greenland glacier after Petermann Glacier. In August 2010, part of the Petermann Glacier about four times the size of Manhattan island broke off from Greenland. These are the recent happenings which could play the role of “THE CATALYST”. Rise in Sea Levels due to melting of these icebergs, inundation of Fresh Water sources leading to abrupt scarcity of Fresh Water. At the current rate of icebergs melting, the next 20 years could prove to be Mankind’s downfall if preventive measures to counter this scarcity of water is not undertaken.

5. The Solution 1.) Human Element The human element of the 3 R’s is related to us Human beings, working together as a global community to implement the mantra. Reuse used water Reduce wastage of water Recycle used water for other purposes Education and awareness should be spread amongst people in all sections of the society. Painting the bleak future is a must if people are to understand the gravity of the situation. It may seem drastic but the situation cannot be ignored any longer. 2.) Technological Element The technological element of the 3 R’s is related to innovation and technological advancement in Sciences and Engineering, along with Economical Feasibility to design Water Treatment Systems. These systems should be efficient and economically feasible so that the technology can be applied to any section of society, be it a small village or a large city. Rain Water Harvesting through simple and effective designs in villages and cities can be a useful way of storing water for future use. Rather than letting rain water cause floods in specific areas, why not store that rainwater, resulting in prevention of flood as well as having a source of fresh water for the future. Logically, Rain Water Harvesting is Nature’s Way of Reusing and Recycling . The solution comprises of two elements: Only through an amalgamation of the following elements can we hope to prevent this catastrophe. Nature will take its course one way or another and prevention in this case is nigh impossible but the Political repercussions can be checked if the correct measures are undertaken.

6. The Solution The innovation presented to the right is a mini-dam system in places where flooding happens due to surface runoff from mountain regions. The water can be stored at regular intervals and with time, the heavy solids can settle down to give usable water. There is no need for any mechanical accessory. This method is basically taking advantage of mountain slopes (Nature) for our needs. The same system can be used in areas of moderate and heavy rainfall without surrounding mountain or hilly areas. The mountain slope is replaced by the slanted rooftops of a building along with the barricades and as a result, every household contributes towards saving precious with minimal cost. Mountain Slope Or Rooftop of a building Barricades with large slits with connecting pipes for channelization and minimal pressure buildup Water Flow If this idea exists elsewhere, I am unaware of it.

7. The Solution For regions with scanty rainfall, such as Deserts, there is minimal rainfall and Rain Water harvesting should be done as much as possible. Apart from that, PROTECTION of the sources like Oases, should be undertaken by the community and the government. A cycle system as shown on the right could be used to deliver usable water to the communities near the Oases. The Recycle System could be Solar Powered so as to use Natural and Renewable Energy. As the communities are small in general, solar power could easily sustain them with minimal cost on the government’s part. An important point to be noted here is the Recycle System should be such that the water sent back to the water body is potable . Hence, Tertiary Level of Purification should be implemented in the Recycle System. Community Water Body Recycle System It should be noted that in this system, government intervention is absolutely necessary, which was not so in the places with moderate/heavy rainfall.

8. The Solution Miscellaneous Ideas for Water Conservation Industries spewing out toxic water should take it upon themselves to treat the water before discharge into rivers and lakes. A government – industry collaboration resulting in clean water effluent from the industries could be routed to the city (for non-potable purposes) rather than the rivers as it will dump the clean water into the sea, basically turning it into saline water. It’s a way of REUSING and RECYCLING Waste Water In developed and developing nations, metering systems with respect to water usage per month should be implemented. It will be a unique system as every house will be allotted a specific quantity of water for monthly use depending on the number of inhabitants in the house. If the water is saved at the end of the month, the govt. could give the family tax benefits which acts as an incentive to REDUCE water usage. Excess water usage would be charged which would also lead to people being more careful with water usage.

9. Impact and Feasibility The ideas relating to Rain Water Harvesting are highly realizable if proper awareness and enthusiasm is shown by the community and the Government. It leads to “killing two birds with one stone” as it potentially reduces Flooding and in turn, makes that Flood Water usable with minimal cost. The ideas relating to Recycling of Waste Water in areas of scanty rainfall and Recycling of water from industry needs government and industry initiative, along with monetary investment and it could be a realizable possibility if we are to face the threat of FIGHT FOR WATER . The metering system will also require government initiative and at first, it might seem too stringent, but if we are to prevent this disaster from a political perspective, such measures have to be taken to Reduce water usage. The end result expected from the solutions presented is CONSERVATION OF FRESH WATER. FOR MAN-MADE DISASTERS, THE SEQUENCE FOLLOWED IS CREATION BY HUMAN ELEMENTS -> NATURE TAKES ITS COURSE -> POLITICAL IMPACT. The disaster presented here is the political impact, i.e. FIGHT FOR WATER. The human elements (leading to Global Warming) resulted in the Nature (Catalyst) taking its course.