EcoWest missionInform and advance conservation in the AmericanWest by analyzing, visualizing, and sharing dataon environmental trends.1/20/2013 1

EcoWest decks This is one of six presentations that illustrate key environmental metrics. Libraries for each topic contain additional slides. IssueSample metrics WaterPer capita water consumption, price ofwater, trends in transfers Biodiversity Number of endangered species, governmentfunding for species protection WildfiresSize and number of wildfires, suppression costs Land Area protected by land trusts, location ofproposed wilderness areas ClimateTemperature and precipitation projections Politics Conservation funding, public opinionDownload presentations and libraries at ecowest.org1/20/2013 2 Executive summary The American West is facing a water crisis that is being compounded by population growth and climate change. In most parts of the West, water is an especially scarce resource. The 11 coterminous Western states average just 18 inches of precipitation per year compared to 37 inches for the United States as a whole. Scientists believe climate change will make the Southwest even drier and shrink the snowpack in many locations. Although overall water use has leveled off over the past few decades, total municipal demand is increasing as cities continue to grow. Laws like the Clean Water Act have reduced pollution and Western streams tend to have better water quality than those in other regions, but lakes are in poorer condition. Nutrient loading and degraded lakeshore habitat pose the greatest threats in the West. The nations water infrastructure is crumbling, with hundreds of billions required to fix dams, levees, sewage plants, and drinking water systems. Looking ahead, proposed water management strategies include water conservation, water reuse, reforms to state water laws, expanded water markets, and desalination. 1/20/2013 3 Table of contents 1. Water supply 4. Freshwater habitat Total water supply Biodiversity Precipitation and drought Habitat disruption Runoff and snowmelt 5. Infrastructure 2. Water demand National and regional needs Withdrawals in the US Withdrawals in the West 6. Solutions? Water conservation Water stress and conflict Water markets 3. Water quality Desalination Water quality in streams Water quality in lakes Drinking water 1/20/2013 4 1. WATER SUPPLY1/20/2013 5 Water abounds, but freshwater supply is limitedSaline Surface water Atmosphericgroundwaterand other water 0.22%and salineFreshwaterfreshwaterlakes, 1%Biological 2.5%1.3% water 0.22% Rivers 0.46% Swamps and marshes 2.53% Groundwater Lakes Soil moisture30.1%20.1% 3.52%OceansGlaciers96.5% andice caps Ice and 68.6%snow73.1% Global water supplyFreshwater Surface water and other freshwater Source: Water in Crisis: A Guide to the Worlds Fresh Water Resources 1/20/2013 6 Water is especially precious in the arid West Average annual precipitation (1971 2000)100thMeridian1/20/2013 7 Western states see relatively few rainy daysNumber of rainy days per year NH HIMost WV rainydays VT AK OH CO TX NMFewestrainy CAdays NV AZ0 20 4060 80100 120 140 160 180 Source: NOAA 1/20/2013 8 Precipitation has been decreasing in parts of the West Changes in annual precipitation, 1959 - 2008 Source: U.S. Global Change Research Program 1/20/2013 9 Drought has increased in much of the WestObserved drought trends, 1958 - 2007 Source: U.S. Global Change Research Program 1/20/2013 10 Precipitation is expected to decrease in the near future Predicted precipitation changes, 2020 - 2039 vs. 1961 - 1990Source: Tetra Tech, Natural Resources Defense Council 1/20/2013 11 Later this century, major seasonal changes are expected Projected precipitation changes: 2080 - 2099 Source: U.S. Global Change Research Program 1/20/2013 12 Runoff is expected to fall sharply in the SouthwestChange in Projected Runoff, 2041-2060 vs. 1901-1970Source: U.S. Global Change Research Program 1/20/2013 13 Snowmelt will occur earlier, especially in NorthwestSource: The Nature Conservancy 1/20/2013 14 Earlier peaks will alter dam operations and ecosystems Trends in peak streamflow timing, 2080 - 2099 vs. 1951 - 1980 Difference in daysSource: U.S. Global Change Research Program 1/20/2013 15 2. WATER DEMAND1/20/2013 16 Two measures for national water useWater Withdrawals by Use Water Consumption by Use 8% 4%3%8% 12% 41%39% 85%Irrigation ThermoelectricDomesticIndustrial Source: U.S. Geological Survey, National Renewable Energy Laboratory1/20/2013 17 Withdrawals are leveling even as population grows500 350450 Total withdrawals, billions of gallons/day300400350 250U.S. population, millions300200250150200150 10010050 50 001950 1955 1960 1965 1970 197519801985 1990 1995 2000 2005Source: U.S. Geological Survey1/20/2013 18 Withdrawals dominated by power and irrigation Water withdrawals in the U.S. (billions of gallons/day)500Aquaculture450Commercial400350 Mining300Livestock250Self-supplieddomestic200Self-supplied150 industrialPublic supply100 50 Irrigation 0Thermoelectric1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 powerSource: U.S. Geological Survey 1/20/2013 19 Public supply withdrawals are steadily increasing Water withdrawals in the U.S. (billions of gallons/day) 90Note: irrigation andthermoelectric power 80 removed Aquaculture 70Commercial 60 Mining 50 Livestock 40 Self-supplieddomestic 30 Self-suppliedindustrial 20 Public supply 10 01950 1955 1960 1965 1970 197519801985 1990 1995 2000 2005 Source: U.S. Geological Survey1/20/201320 Irrigation is the top water user in the West Water withdrawals in the West, 2005Industrial Self- Supplied 0.1% Domestic, Self- Supplied 0.8% Public Supply10.8%Irrigation76.2%Thermoelectric11.8%Mining 0.3%Livestock0.2% Source: U.S. Geological Survey1/20/2013 21 Western states lead the nation in irrigation Total withdrawals for irrigation, 2005 Source: U.S. Geological Survey 1/20/2013 22 Some Western states are also top groundwater users Source: U.S. Geological Survey 1/20/2013 23 Nationally, groundwater withdrawals are risingSurface water vs. groundwater withdrawals500 Withdrawals, Billions of Gallons per Day450400350300250200150100 50 01950 1955 1960 19651970197519801985 1990 1995 20002005GroundwaterSurface waterSource: U.S. Geological Survey 1/20/2013 24 Runoff vs. water use: degree of water stress Source: The Nature Conservancy 1/20/2013 25 Growth will increase pressure on water supplyProjected population change by county: 2000 - 2050Source: U.S. Global Change Research Program 1/20/2013 26 Climate change, growth will cause water conflictsPotential water supply conflicts by 2025Source: Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Global Change Research Program 1/20/2013 27 3. WATER QUALITY 1/20/2013 28 Major regions in Wadeable Streams AssessmentSource: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1/20/2013 29 Western streams top the water quality rankings Biological condition of streamsWest45.1%25.8% 27.4%Plains and Lowlands 29.0% 29.0%40.0% Eastern Highlands 18.2%20.5%51.8%0%10% 20%30%40%50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Good Fair Poor Not AssessedSource: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1/20/201330 Major regions in National Lakes AssessmentSource: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1/20/2013 31 Western lakes are in poor conditionXericWestern MountainsGood Fair Poor National0% 20%40%60%80% 100% Percent of Lakes Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency1/20/2013 32 Degradation of lakeshore habitat threatening lakes 45% 40% 35% 30% Percent of U.S. Lakes 25% 20% 15% 10%5% 0% LakeshorePhysicalShallow TotalTotalLakeshore Turbidity Dissolvedhabitathabitat waternitrogenphosphorus disturbance oxygen complexity habitatSource: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency1/20/2013 33 4. FRESHWATER HABITAT1/20/2013 34 Freshwater ecoregions in the West Source: The Nature Conservancy 1/20/2013 35 The West has some hotspots for freshwater endemics Source: The Nature Conservancy 1/20/2013 36 Number of freshwater mammal species Source: The Nature Conservancy 1/20/2013 37 Number of freshwater bird species Source: The Nature Conservancy 1/20/2013 38 Even dry areas are home to many amphibiansSource: The Nature Conservancy 1/20/2013 39 Some hotspots for threatened amphibians in the West Source: The Nature Conservancy 1/20/2013 40 Fewer fish species are present in the West Source: The Nature Conservancy 1/20/2013 41 The Pacific Northwest has many migratory fish Source: The Nature Conservancy 1/20/2013 42 Western fish runs suffer significant disruptionsSource: The Nature Conservancy 1/20/2013 43 Invasive species imperil freshwater habitat Source: The Nature Conservancy 1/20/2013 44 5. INFRASTRUCTURE1/20/2013 45 Water infrastructure is in especially poor shapeASCE infrastructure report card, 2009SectorGradeDrinking waterD-WastewaterD-DamsD-LeveesD-Schools D-Roads D-AviationDEnergyD+RailC-Public parks and recreation C-Solid waste C+Source: American Society of Civil Engineers 1/20/2013 46 Crumbling water works will cost billions to fix Estimated investment need 2010 - 2015 DamsLevees Estimated Actual Spending Inland Waterways Rail American Recovery and Reinvestment ActEnergy Hazardous Waste and Solid Waste 5-Year Investment ShortfallPublic Parks and RecreationAviation SchoolsDrinking Water and WastewaterTransit Roads and Bridges$0 $100 $200 $300 $400 $500 $600 $700 $800 $900 $1,000Billions Source: American Society of Civil Engineers1/20/201347 California has the greatest infrastructure needNecessary investment in water infrastructure over 20 years$30,000$25,000$20,000Millions$15,000 Drinking Water Wastewater$10,000 $5,000 $0 Source: American Society of Civil Engineers1/20/2013 48 The Southwest badly needs dam repairsNumber and percent of dams in need of rehabilitation 18045% 16040% 14035% 12030% 10025%8020%6015%4010%205%0 0%Source: American Society of Civil Engineers 1/20/2013 49 Price of water continues to climb Source: USA Today 1/20/2013 50 6. SOLUTIONS?1/20/2013 51 As top user, irrigation has most conservation potentialWater withdrawals in the West, 2005 Industrial Self-Supplied0.1%Domestic, Self-Supplied0.8%Public Supply 10.8% Irrigation 76.2% Thermoelectric 11.8% Mining0.3% Livestock 0.2%Source: U.S. Geological Survey1/20/2013 52 Conservation strategies for agriculturePotential savings compared to fallowing and land retirement Source: Pacific Institute1/20/2013 53 Outdoor use dominates household consumption Average household water use 100%Other Baths DishwashersLeaks Unknown90%Faucets80% ShowersClothesWashers70%Toilets60%50%40%30% Outdoor20%10%0%Gallons per capitaSource: American Water Works Association1/20/2013 54 Reusing greywater can cut residential demand Average indoor residential water use for 12 North American citiesFaucets16% Leaks14% Greywater: from Clothes Washer bath, shower, and21% clothes washer. About 40%, or 28 gallons per capitaBlackwater: per day. Toiletsdishwasher, toilets, Shower27% etc. account for 17% 28%, or 19.5 gallons per capita per day.Bath 2% Other Domestic 2% Dishwashers1% Source: American Water Works Association1/20/201355 Efficient toilets and clothes washers offer big savingsComparison of average daily water use:with and without conservation measures Dishwashers BathsWith conservationWithout conservationOther Domestic Uses LeaksFaucets ShowersClothes WashersToilets0 51015 20 Gallons per capita per day Source: Handbook of Water Use and Conservation 1/20/201356 Distributing toilets is most cost effective optionOrdinances Surcharges ClassesSource: Water Conservation Alliance of Southern Arizona 1/20/2013 57 Water markets are already functioning in WestVolume of water transfers in the West3.02.52.0Millions of acre-feet1.5Sales1.0Long-Term Leases0.5Short-Term Leases0.0Source: Brewer et al. (2007) 1/20/2013 58 Agriculture is the top source for water transfersNumber of water transfers in the West, 1987 - 2005 Environmental toAgricultural Environmental toUrban Environmental to EnvironmentalUrban to AgriculturalUrban toEnvironmentalCombinationAgricultural to Environmental Urban to UrbanAgricultural toAgriculturalAgricultural to Urban0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000Number of TransfersSource: Brewer et al. (2007) 1/20/2013 59 California, Arizona, and Idaho lead in water transfers Volume of water transferred by state and transfer type NV Ag to UrbanUT Ag to Envir Ag to Ag Urban to Urban Urban to AgCO Urban to EnvirTX CombinationIDAZCA 024 6 81012 Millions of acre-feet Source: Brewer et al. (2007)1/20/201360 Desalination capacity growing steadily Global cumulative contracted capacity of desalination plants7060 Millions of cubic meters per day50403020100Source: Pacific Institute 1/20/2013 61 Many new desal plants proposed in CaliforniaSource: Pacific Institute 1/20/2013 62 Desalination is very energy intensiveand costly Energy intensity of water sources in San Diego CountySeawater desalination San Francisco Bay Delta Imperial IrrigationDistrict Colorado River Water bags Local groundwaterRecycling Local surface water 0 1000 20003000 40005000Energy intensity, kWh/af Source: Pacific Institute1/20/2013 63 Conclusion A limited and unpredictable water supply is one of the defining features of the American West, which faces a water crisis that is being compounded by growth and climate change. Climate change is expected to make the Southwest even drier and shrink the snowpack in many locations, causing problems for water managers and freshwater ecosystems. Overall, were becoming more efficient in our water use, but total demand continues to rise along with the regions growing population and energy use. Although water quality has generally improved, our water infrastructure is crumbling in the West and across the nation. Looking ahead, water conservation, water reuse, expanded water markets, and desalination are likely to play a role in addressing the challenge of water in the West. 1/20/2013 64 Download more slides and other librariesecowest.org Contact us by e-mailing mitch@ceaconsulting.com 1/20/2013 65 EcoWest advisorsJon Christensen, Adjunct Assistant Professor and PritzkerFellow at the Institute of the Environment and Sustainabilityand Department of History at UCLA; former director of BillLane Center for the American West at Stanford.Bruce Hamilton, Deputy Executive Director for the SierraClub, where he has worked for more than 35 years; memberof the World Commission on Protected Areas; former FieldEditor for High Country News.Robert Glennon, Regents Professor and Morris K. UdallProfessor of Law and Public Policy, Rogers College of Law atthe University of Arizona; author of Water Follies andUnquenchable.1/20/2013 66 EcoWest advisorsJonathan Hoekstra, head of WWFs Conservation ScienceProgram, lead author of The Atlas of GlobalConservation, and former Senior Scientist at The NatureConservancy.Timothy Male, Vice President of Conservation Policy forDefenders of Wildlife, where he directs the Habitat andHighways, Conservation Planning, Federal Lands, OregonBiodiversity Partnership, and Economics programs.Thomas Swetnam, Regents Professor ofDendrochronology, Director of the Laboratory of Tree-RingResearch at the University of Arizona, and a leading expert onwildfires and Western forests.1/20/2013 67 Contributors at California Environmental AssociatesMitch TobinEditor of EcoWest.orgCommunications Director at CEAMicah DayAssociate at CEAMatthew Elliott Contact us by e-mailingPrincipal at CEA mitch@ceaconsulting.comMax LevineAssociate at CEACaroline OttResearch Associate at CEASarah WeldonAffiliated consultant at CEA1/20/2013 68