AI Article Synopsis
- The study aims to assess the impact of urban water conservation strategies in California on water and energy savings, greenhouse gas emissions, and public health.
- It expands a previous analysis by comparing the current situation to two significant strategies: banning landscape irrigation and increasing the use of alternative water sources like desalination and recycled water.
- The results indicate that utilizing recycled water could effectively decrease water and energy consumption while also lowering greenhouse gas emissions with minor negative health impacts, providing valuable insights for cities worldwide facing similar water supply challenges.
Article Abstract
Objectives: To determine how urban water conservation strategies in California cities can affect water and energy conservation efforts, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and benefit public health.
Methods: We expanded upon our 2014 health impact assessment of California's urban water conservation strategies by comparing the status quo to 2 options with the greatest potential impact on the interrelated issues of water and energy in California: (1) banning landscape irrigation and (2) expanding alternative water sources (e.g., desalination, recycled water).
Results: Among the water conservation strategies evaluated, expanded use of recycled water stood out as the water conservation strategy with potential to reduce water use, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions, with relatively small negative impacts for the public's health.
Conclusions: Although the suitability of recycled water for urban uses depends on local climate, geography, current infrastructure, and finances, analyses similar to that presented here can help guide water policy decisions in cities across the globe facing challenges of supplying clean, sustainable water to urban populations.
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Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4985092 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2016.303053 | DOI Listing |
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