Too often the news presents us with facts and stories about all of the daily challenges in our lives - rising costs, global conflicts, famine and drought, economic spirals, unemployment - a seemingly growing list. With respect to environmental stewardship, there are successes that deserve attention. This section will gradually expand on how large and small changes are making a positive impact.
Recycling Wastewater
The Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Arizona / USA
The nuclear industry presently uses a significant amount of fresh water to cool reactors. On average, millions of gallons per day are used. There is also a considerable amount of controversary about the damage to marine life. The Palo Verde Station, located about 55 miles west of Phoenix, has been the largest power producer of any kind in the United States since 1992. Because of its desert location, Palo Verde is the only nuclear plant in the United States that does not sit on a large body of water. Instead, it uses treated effluent from several area municipalities to meet its cooling water needs, recycling 20 billion gallons of wastewater each year.
Intel Corporation / Semiconductor Manufacturing Plants Arizona, USA
Intel doesn't reuse all of its wastewater. Every day, the company pumps 1.5 million gallons to a $19 million reverse-osmosis desalination plant it built for the Chandler plants. This water, cleaned to drinking standards, is pumped 6 miles away and injected 600 feet down into a sandstone aquifer beneath the city. To date, Intel has banked more than 3 billion gallons. The facility recycles or stores 75% of the water it brings in.
Water & Sanitation
Inter-American Development Bank Latin America
The Bank approved an ambitious Water and Sanitation Initiative that will finance 100 cities with populations of around 50,000 people to expand or improve water and sanitation systems. During 2007-2011 the initiative will also provide loans or technical assistance to at least 3,000 rural communities, working mainly through local governments and will finance improved watershed management in at least 20 priority micro-watersheds.
Copyright 2010 DIMIDIA llc All rights reserved. Last Update: December 15, 2010
