Episode 15 - Talking Water in 2017

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Episode Highlights

• [2:17] The water-energy nexus in action - John shares a personal story about water fixture updates installed by his energy company as part of an energy efficiency initiative.
  
  
  • Shows how much money is out there for energy efficiency.
    
    
  • [11:45] It is a challenge to have water looked at in the same way as energy.
    
    
    • "Oil has a price to it ... water is priceless."
      
      
    • We have other sources of energy than just oil.
      
      
    • However, there are conflicts around both oil and water.
      
      
    • We cover the water-energy nexus in more detail in episode 5.
      
      
• [12:45] Water conflicts - Water is the latest battleground in Syria.
  
  
  • If you dig down deeper, water is what started the first conflict in Syria (not the single reason for the war but a catalyst for the conflict).
    
    
  • The value of water: "May the gold you hold become water."
    
    
• [18:19] Will snowpack in California help lesson drought conditions? - Snowpack survey shows CA's water content at half normal; drought possible.
  
  
  • It's early in the season but they are getting more snow.
    
    
  • Rain is good but to get out of drought, CA will need above average snow for a while.
    
    
  • Water decisions will be made on April 1 after reviewing snow pack levels.
    
    
• [21:24] Water issues in New Jersey - Utilities in the state are taking action to curb water use.
  
  Some facts and figures from the article:
  
  
  • A quarter of treated water is last because of leaky pipes.
    
    
  • Water prices could rise in drought emergency - flexible water rates.
    
    
  • Summer spike in water use - in suburban Monmouth and Ocean counties. Combined use there is about 35 million gallons a day in winter and up to 70 million gallons a day in summer.
    
    
  • Nationwide, average annual indoor water use by households declined by 22 percent from 1999 to 2016, according to a study by the Water Research Foundation.

What water topics would you like us to talk about? Please contact us with any ideas!