Mar
10
Water Diary
March 10, 2021 | | Leave a Comment
Personal Estimated Water Footprint Compared to USA Average:
Per Day: 1, 379 Gallons US Average: 1,802 Gallons
Per Week: 9,653 Gallons US Average: 12,614 Gallons
Per Year: 1905.5 m^3 US Average: 2489.7 m^3
Constraint:
At the time of calculating this estimate, I was on campus, and recognized Dickinson’s use of sustainable energy compared to standard utilities. While at home or travelling, I am sure my water footprint is far higher than what is above. Furthermore, this does not account for weeks where I do a particularly extensive amount of driving.
Tigris/ Euphrates Valley Average Water footprint: PER CAPTIA AVERAGE
Turkey Syria Iraq Iran
Per day: 1,188 Gallons Per Day: 1,532 Gallons No data Per Day: 1,347 Gallons
Per Week: 8,316 Gallons Per Week: 10,724 Gallons Per Week: 9,429 Gallons
Per Year: 1636.9 m^3 Per Year: 2110.9 m^3 Per Year: 1856 M^3
Through taking this class and discussing the role of water in the Middle East, along with my own research specific to the Tigris and Euphrates valley, I have come to realize that I am not nearly as aware of my use of water as perhaps I should be. I am extremely fortunate to have essentially unlimited access to clean water, with the only regular constraint being a water bill.
By simply comparing the water footprint statistics of Iran, Turkey, and Syria to the United States, one can infer that generally, there is a greater sense of awareness of water use in those Middle Eastern countries, than in the US– particularly when one considers that the accepted minimum annual water footprint per individual is 1,100 m^3.
Although these four countries share primary water sources (Tigris/Euphrates), dams have created restricted water flow to certain areas of the countries above, which has caused social, economic, and political disruptions. As a result of restricted water flow due to dams, the water in “low flow” areas has become contaminated, which has necessitated further government intervention which seeks to provide water through alternative means. This plays a large role in the economy of the region.
Politically and socially, nonstate actors have taken advantage of vulnerable areas with little access to water through bribery and threats.
Overall, it is water in the Tigris/Euphrates valley seems to play a more direct and visible role in political, economic, and social dynamics than in the USA.