Talk:Willits Economic Localization/Water

From CFI

(Robert Larson) As a non group member I'm keeping my hands off the water group page, BUT I've got a lot of comments . . .

It seems like this section started off with a certain formal structure, but it looks like it needs a little work, with that big undigested part in the middle.

• Structure: It looks like there are quite a number of significant new questions being asked, but in an unstructured form.

   ** Do these qualify as "Research questions" or do they need their own category?  
   ** Should some stuff be placed up front on this page?  As long as the amount 
       is not overwhelming, it's more approachable if it's right here. 
   ** Alternatively, what should be tucked away in subsidiary articles?  Suggestion: at 
       least the major questions could be visible at this level, but they would actually 
       each be the title of a subsidiary article (i.e., they'd be links), wherein the 
       discussion, data, and answers for that particular question would be detailed.
   ** Is it OK to add the unstructured new stuff directly onto this page, or should 
       it be entered onto, say, the discussion page, and then subequently integrated 
       into the topic by members of the water group?

• Jason -- could we get a clarification on the Jevons water ration? As a ball-park figure, it's better than nothing, but it must depend quite a bit on circumstances. Does that figure reflect conventional agricultural practices (like a national averge?) or is that the more minimal figure required by his Grow Biointensive system? Does it include rainfall when some of the crops are raised in the rainy season? Historical question: how far back do you have to go to a time when there was a considerable amount of local food-self sufficiency, and what was the population then? This thing about water for argiculture really blows the doors off the water discussion, doesn't it? Suggestion: Liason with Food group?

• Is the shallow well question agriculture-related, or would that water count toward the domestic requirements? Even though the Industry topic is on hold that will more than likely require some water as well. Perhaps it deserves at least a place-holder entry for the time being.

• The question of energy is raised in re: shallow wells, but (in MHO) that consideration should be added to practically every aspect of the water supply (and waste water) inquiry. If the city reservoirs, for example, are situated so that the distribution system is entirely fed by gravity, so much the better, but it should be recognized that gravitational potential is a form of energy (any surplus energy available to be harvested?) If, on the other hand, it takes big pumps to keep the city's water pipes filled, is anyone on top of the issue?. In this connection it might be time to start doing more liason between groups. I heard the Energy group talking about using the reservoirs for pumped energy storage (5/16/05). What would the implications of this be for the water supply?

• When considering domestic water consumption, at least if water turns out to be a limiting resource, planning could include an option with no flush toilets, which, I understand, is the big item currently. Is the green survey asking people if they use primairly flush toilets or not? Food and Energy groups: waste water treatment has implications for you; fertilizer production, energy requirements for pumping, and energy production from methane.

• Water storage: if lots more water is required for agriculture let's think big. Does the community have the potential for another big reservoir?