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Water Crisis

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| PAC -10 CONSULTING |
Water Crisis: Extracting Surplus from a Deficit
To: Dr. Lee Cerling, Director of Research and Communications
From: Jordan Pinkus
Date: [ 9/29/2010 ]
Re: PAC-10 Overview of Water Crisis: Key Opportunities
How to Use This Memo Template
Global shortages of potable water have signaled an emerging crisis. The shortages impact developed and developing nations, though the evidence is harshest in the developing world. Despite available drinking water and seemingly abundant domestic water supplies, the United States faces increasing and accelerating shortages. However, in this era of crises (global warming, the energy crisis, the financial crisis), a crisis means business opportunity. 1,4
The average resident of the United States uses 616 gallons per day. Comparatively, this ranks United States second to Canada for per capita consumption. However, the United States population is approximately 10 times that of Canada and therefore total domestic consumption exceeds Canadian several times over, ranking first globally. The scale of water demands strains the hydrologic cycle, which governs the replenishment of fresh water, thereby jeopardizing long-term water resources. 3
Meeting the United States’ water demands traditionally required engineering solutions to a consistent question: Where can we get more water? However, continued strain on resources reveals the need for more than the quick fixes engineers have always turned to. 1 Water-conservation solutions now offer a cost-effective alternative to acquiring new sources, while providing co-benefits to the environment, economy, and health. 4
Assessing the premier emerging opportunities requires understanding of the nature of water shortages, as well as the cost-benefit advantage of reducing demand over increasing supply. 4 Based upon my assessment, efficiency in application and

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