Report on Water Distribution to Arid and Semi-Arid Areas

Introduction

Life in the desert is usually marked with constant battles for one of the most basic needs in human life. In fact, water is consistently seen as a valuable commodity to some extent even wealth in the desert communities and other semi-arid places. This has also been made worse by climate change. Because at some point in the semi-arid or arid areas depended on rains, but that is gone. Due to the unpredictable path, that our weather patterns have taken capitalized by in between extreme weather conditions. Nevertheless, even if rain falls sometimes it becomes even worse to the extent that there is nothing good that can come out of it. The reality here is that any place that is solely dependent on rain is a place that should be keenly assisted because rain is never enough to mere the daily water supplies. Therefore, the very important reason for this report is to adopt a better way of generating water for these areas. In addition, the choices are between pumping water using pipes from sufficient regions and drilling of water in the desert and supplying it to the people living there to meet there needs.

Background

The lives in Arid and semi-arid areas are tough in itself because they largely depend on farming yet have no enough water for not just their animals but also their farms and the use in their households. Looking at means to help this situation, there are things that we will have to look at candidly. And that is whether the solutions offered are enough to in a way solve this water crisis within these regions. The answer is they can.

In the drilling of water, this should not come as a surprise to anyone that there is water in the deserts in the form of springs and aquifers (Schwabe et al 2015). And this could help in bringing this water crisis to a manageable situation. Aquifers are underground layers that are made of porous rock, and the aquifers are replenished continuously by rain. Even though deep aquifers cannot be replenished, studies have shown that there is indeed more underground water that there is in lakes and rivers and therefore this could support the individuals for years (Manna et al., 2017). The problem here though is that if there is to be an extraction of water from the ground, and then it will have to deep so as not to damage the aquifers near the surface, for studies have shown that it may destroy the environment. This could be an economic time bomb if it’s not thoroughly examined.

The other option that was availed here is the pumping of water from nearby reservoirs or dams and lakes. Well, this may be a good idea because it helps guarantee a constant supply of water that is safe a good for use. This could also ensure that water for irrigation is ably provided to ensure that the regions can exploit the economic ability that is hindered largely by the lack of adequate water. However, there are downsides to this option too. In that, the reservoirs and dams may be too far away, and this will not be economically viable to bring the water through pipes (Vaezi et al., 2017). It is also important to maintain that maintain the pipes would be very costly and may sometimes lead to long disruptions that may not be good for communities that are living in these arid and semi-arid areas.

Requirements

Water pipes are only designed to take water to the desired destination. Because as per this projects desire, the water here should be treated before it being transported through the pipes to a reservoir or a tank in the where it will then be distributed to common centers, homes and even farms. There are varieties of water pumps. They range from plastic pipes to 3.5 wide steel pipes which have the abilities to supply an entire town. There are several materials used in the construction of pipes from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), to copper, steel and even concrete and clay. With all the materials and construction solidly put into consideration, it is important to look at costs of making these pipes work. These pipes will mostly be needed anyway whether it will be drilling or pumping from some other place.

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Options and Comparisons

In this method, it’s likely that installation will make up the highest part of the cost. It’s important to note that that the differences in the cost of the pipes that are to be used do not make any meaningful difference in the overall price in any way. However, some factors will have to be considered when it comes to the cost. The weight of the pipe, a massive pipe will be a problem handling, and if it handled slower, it would be costly compared to lighter ones. Another thing will be assembling of the pipeline. Assembling of the pipe will mean that if it is easier, then it will result in saving the costs unlike when its heaver and difficult (Vaezi.,  2017). Another factor that is important here is that the water will need tanks before it’s pumped into other smaller tanks where it can be redistributed to households. This seems to be a vital and costly operation in itself even without the provision of the real numbers. Knowing that there are also health issues that will have to be seriously taken into question because if the can burst or leak. Pipes can occasionally be corroded bringing health issue like in Flint. Contaminated water and contaminated pipes can mean an almost complete overhaul.

When it comes to drilling, it will need a thorough survey on where it would be most appropriate to drill within the desert that can guarantee us maximum water. The water can be very deep in the ground it makes the operation not very cheap either. This is because chances are that drilling of weather may end up serving communities for a shorter period and then there will have to be another drilling somewhere else. However, with proper study, such risks can be minimized so that a solution is offered. It’s also important to note that drilling g will mean that there will have to be a reserve tank which will be a point of distribution for the communities and so that there is enough water going round for irrigation and domestic use (Szabo et al., 2016). However, drilling offers another very economical option. Where instead of giant drills, then very many boreholes could be drilled like about fifteen in every village in the desert, then from those boreholes, the communities could be advised on methods that could prove economical for them to irrigate their farms as well as water their animals. This could happen through manual pumps and or solar generated pumps as ell wind generated pumps.

Conclusions

Evaluating, the options on the distribution of water, it is a fact that it will be costly. So that by the time it reaches the households of individuals, it will have cost people a lot of money. But then the other option here would be for people to stay as they are. The two options one lay very extensive coverage where water will be coming from without and will be pumped through pumps, it will, however, be very expensive as water may come from very far. Therefore, laying kilometers after kilometers of pipes would be costly. However, the other options are much better, as the water source will be right in the desert. Meaning, this will not only cheaper, but it will prove efficient as in case there is a problem, answers can easily be provided. Moreover, from the analysis of approximation, it’s not as expensive as the latter.

Recommendations

After the extensive analysis, then the best choice would be for the drilling to happen right in the desert. This will be efficient as the source of water will be right in the midst of those who need it, and it will be cheaper. It will also give options as to irrigation of the farms and watering of the animals. This will vary by the standards of the comparison the best of all the two options offered so far.