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30-June-2009, Tiberius - Leonard Cohen's 'Jesus was a sailor when he walked upon the water…' may soon loose it's punch line - the Godly miraculous ability to walk across the Sea of Galilee may soon be in every Earthly man's ability as Lake Kinneret is drying out! Israel's largest fresh water reservoir, measuring approximately 166 square kilometers and 43 meters deep (maximum), supplies about 30% of the country's fresh water needs. But the lake's water line has been steadily decreasing in past years and has reached dangerously low levels due to extremely dry recent winters and increasing water demand. The Kinneret shoreline has receded more than 100 meters in some locations in only the last 10 years. Not only is the country's main drinking water supply in danger but also the delicate environmental balance of the Galilee's fauna and flora. The biggest concern are salt water springs at the bottom of the lake. They are prevented from over-salinating the Sea of Galilee by the pressure of the water above, but less fresh water means more salt water. Scientists say if water levels fall much more than another two meters the lake could reach the point of no return and be changed forever. In May 2009 the National Water Authority published new limiting instructions for watering private gardens and lawns; use of sprinklers is allowed only between 19:00 in the evening to 07:00 the next morning, no more than twice a week and for no longer than 30 minutes each time. Hefty fines and even criminal action may be taken against lawbreakers if and when these instructions are adopted by the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) as laws. These measures will be in affect for the next two-three years. Another new regulation goes into effect July 1st 2009; a monthly quota of 30 cubic meters per household and an additional 3 cubic meters per person in households of more than four. Excessive consumption will be fined. The Water Authority explains that desalination and purification of sea water is already being done today to the extent of 140 million cubic meters per year. A new purification plant is in advanced stages of construction and will be able to supply an additional 127 million cubic meters. Within three years the Authority promises production capability of 600 million cubic meters of water annually - half of the annual consumption of natural water today. Ministry of Environmental Protection has been conducting scary advertising campaigns, depicting people's faces drying out, cracking and pealing, aimed at the general public encouraging saving water by planting water-conserving plants in private gardens, shorter bathing and showering and installing water saving devices on toilet tanks for flushing.

Environment

Jesus was a sailor when he walked upon the water

Lake Kinneret is drying out! Israel's largest fresh water reservoir, measuring approximately 166 square kilometers and 43 meters deep (maximum...

by Nir Alon in Israel on 29/06/2009

Global Thirst Act locally, think globally Demotix- Hugh Smith, Carlsbad, Ca. On February 27 2009, governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed a state of emergency and ordered all California government agencies to implement the state's emergency plan and provide help for people, communities and businesses impacted by the third consecutive year of drought. With lower than usual snow packs in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and lowering flow from the principle water supply of the Colorado river, California is now beginning to experience a statewide problem that mirrors the global problem of providing clean water to an ever increasing thirsty world. California’s 3 year drought conditions and water restrictions are causing additional devastating economic and business losses. Agricultural revenue losses exceed $300 million to date and could exceed $2 billion in the coming season, with a total economic loss of nearly $3 billion for 2009. If one multiplies these numbers on a global scale, where the World Bank estimates some 2 billion people do not have access to clean water and sanitation the implications are enormous. Oddly, this increasing threat of global water shortage has largely escaped mainstream “radar” and, more to the point, global environmentalists and may be a more serious “inconvenient truth” than oil shortage and carbon footprints. Oil shortage is one thing. Water shortage is quite another. Poseidon Resources of Stamford, Connecticutt has finalized legal procedures to build a desalination plant on the Pacific Ocean beachfront of the Southern California town of Carlsbad. Groundbreaking will begin According to Scott Maloni, head of Media Services, the plant will provide nearly 10% or 50,000,000 gallons per day of the area’s water needs by completion in 2010. While there are an estimated 21,000 desalination plants globally, the U.S., an important user of desalinated water, is behind in building desalination facilities. Scott Maloni proudly points to the new technology reverse osmosis system, energy efficiency and small carbon footprint of the Carlsbad Plant as we talked in front of the pilot desal’ plant. “There are only three systems in the U.S. now. Tampa, Florida, Carlsbad and Santa Barbara.” “This pilot plant is 1 1/1000th of the size of the finished plant. We are using the current Encinas Power Plant as not only an energy source but we are also using the current pump systems. This reduces our carbon footprint and overall costs to the local consumer.” Our technology also reduces the mineral content of the water (especially the boron content) well below EPA, local and State standards.” Poseiden has faced many legal battles with local environmentalists and surfers and, over the past 10 years, has won every suit leading to the final permitting this last month. “One of the stories people rarely hear is about the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Agua Hedionda means “stinking water.” When the original owners built the power plant, they reclaimed the lagoon and it is now home to a fish hatchery, YMCA agua camp and a commercial shellfish farm. I believe it is the only inland fish lagoon in California. “When Cabrillo power plant shuts down, we will become the caretakers of this lagoon. It’s one story few people know about.” Poseidon Resources is building another desal’ plant an hour and a half north in Huntington Beach. “It’s a year behind,” comments Scott, “but once online and including the Camp Pendleton propose plant, Southern California will be totally drought free.” Considering the future dire predictions for worldwide water supplies, Poseiden is patiently positioning themselves not only as a future tech supplier of pure “drought proof” water but as environmental caretakers, as well. Update: 12/10/09 Poseidon Resources today announced that a super majority (9-3) of the California Coastal Commissioners voted to dismiss the request filed by opponents of seawater desalination to revoke the Carlsbad Desalination Project's Coastal Development Permit (CDP). Today's vote tally is identical to the Commission's original vote to approve the permit in November 2007. Construction of the Project started this past November. Opponents, led by San Diego Coastkeeper litigator Marco Gonzalez, have an extensive and unsuccessful history of filing legal challenges and appealing Project permit approvals. The permit revocation request was the tenth and latest failed effort to delay the Project. 'We appreciate the Coastal Commission's decisive action today,' said Poseidon Resources' Vice President Scott Maloni. 'It is clear from the public record that the opponents' claims are frivolous, and by rejecting the revocation request the Commission has once again exposed the opponents' obstructionist tactics. We urge Project opponents to put an end to their senseless and meritless attack on a desperately needed new water supply project that has repeatedly passed every environmental and regulatory test,' said Maloni. Poseidon has worked in partnership with the City of Carlsbad since 1998 to build the desalination plant, which will have the capacity to produce 50-million-gallons-per-day of high quality drinking water and serve 300,000 residents annually. Once operational, the Carlsbad Desalination Project will provide enough drinking water to serve 300,000 residents annually. The facility is scheduled to begin construction in 2010 and be operational in 2012. More about Poseiden Resources at http://www.poseidonresources.com

Environment

Global Thirst

Desalination facility in California. Environmental concern meets high tech solution for dwindling water supplies. The facility is one of only 3...

by Hugh Smith in United States on 27/05/2009

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27/05/2009 - Global Thirst - United States - Desalination facility in California....

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