Thanks Melanie, for writing about my favorite special interest!
I loved the links on the ancient aqueduct systems. I'm struck by how many of these civilizations went under because of climate affecting the water supply. Water supply is one of the key concerns in climate change.
For that reason among others, I'm amazed that you don't have point of use metering in Wellington. Here in Washington metering is compulsory for all group A water systems -15 or more connections. It enables calculation of distribution system leakage, ideally less than 5%. In areas with sewers, water consumption is also used as the basis for sewer rates.
A research paper on water use in NZ was just released that covers who uses meters, some history behind these choices and the implications on water management.
You're so right John about the climate change links and I'm thinking I need to specifically look at that at some stage.
There were so many side stories that didn't make it into the article, like what happened with water and the Khmer civilisation and how water was supplied to Constantinople (a very different proposition to Rome) and the development of a water supply system in London.
Sadly, New Zealand must be one of the most water-complacent places on earth and Wellington is the most water-complacent city, I suspect. It's unclear whether there are plans to introduce metering in Wellington, but we've got a fairly green-sympathetic mayor right now, so I have a bit of hope.
Agreed. Sounds like the pipes are on the Wellington council agenda, but it needs to be close to the top from what I've read. I'm not sure about meters. We certainly need them.
This is one of my favorite articles you've written, Melanie! So many interesting links and a-ha moments on how water is kept clean in pipes via pressure, or that sand was (and still is!) used as a step in filtration. Water and civilization are intertwined throughout history, and it's so easy to take it for granted from where I sit; this essay is a good reminder that I shouldn't!
Nov 12, 2023·edited Nov 12, 2023Liked by Melanie Newfield
What a great retrospective on water and its history Melanie! I am sort of a history buff. I think people tend to not notice things that are just prevalent. Even small towns in the United States have water towers. Lots of them are small town works of art with exotic paint jobs. These are the mechanism for maintaining pressure during times of high use like morning showers. In my travels at some point I realized that not everyone uses water towers around the world. I remember asking the question on tours and the guides weren't sure about it. I suppose they must install all sorts of electric booster pumps.
There are a few towns in NZ with water towers, some of which have decommissioned but are kept for historical reasons. Most places use large tanks/reservoirs on the top of nearby hills rather than building a tower, we have plenty of hills and the occasional earthquake which make this a better option.
Interesting! I suppose that is why I don't remember a lot of water towers when I lived in California! If you care for a smile look up Rochester, MN water tower. It is quite well known. Rochester, MN is the home of the world famous Mayo Clinic medical center.
Thanks Mark. Interesting about the water towers. When I was a child, my grandparents lived next to something we called it a 'water tower', but it wasn't really a tower, but a huge concrete reservoir. I see them around and they are never interesting or decorated, just concrete monoliths. In Wellington, though, there's a big reservoir on a hill which has been covered over with dirt and there's a park on top of it.
I don’t think anyone beats us southern Californians when it comes to shipping water from elsewhere. Large aqueducts gather water from the San Joaquin River Delta a bit south of San Francisco and direct it south. Great pumps raise the water into the mountains, about 1,100 meters, then it drains down to Los Angeles and the rest of Southern California. All in all, the water travels 500 kilometers before it comes out of my tap.
We get about as much water from the Colorado River, which travels an equally Herculean route to get here.
Wow, that's amazing. There's also the Great Man-Made River which supplies the cities on Libya's coast. That water travels at least as far as south California's water.
What a clear explanation of water contamination due to water pressure - I always appreciate your straightforward descriptions! And the Persian qanats - just wow!
Thanks Melanie, for writing about my favorite special interest!
I loved the links on the ancient aqueduct systems. I'm struck by how many of these civilizations went under because of climate affecting the water supply. Water supply is one of the key concerns in climate change.
For that reason among others, I'm amazed that you don't have point of use metering in Wellington. Here in Washington metering is compulsory for all group A water systems -15 or more connections. It enables calculation of distribution system leakage, ideally less than 5%. In areas with sewers, water consumption is also used as the basis for sewer rates.
Are there plans to introduce metering?
Some places in New Zealand, like Auckland for instance, do have metering.
A research paper on water use in NZ was just released that covers who uses meters, some history behind these choices and the implications on water management.
https://motu-www.motu.org.nz/wpapers/23_09.pdf
Thanks for this report Andrew, that's very interesting.
Yes, Auckland seems to be doing a better job than Wellington by some distance.
You're so right John about the climate change links and I'm thinking I need to specifically look at that at some stage.
There were so many side stories that didn't make it into the article, like what happened with water and the Khmer civilisation and how water was supplied to Constantinople (a very different proposition to Rome) and the development of a water supply system in London.
Sadly, New Zealand must be one of the most water-complacent places on earth and Wellington is the most water-complacent city, I suspect. It's unclear whether there are plans to introduce metering in Wellington, but we've got a fairly green-sympathetic mayor right now, so I have a bit of hope.
This makes me so freaking angry. Bring in meters, I say, and let's invest in our bloody infrastructure.
Agreed. Sounds like the pipes are on the Wellington council agenda, but it needs to be close to the top from what I've read. I'm not sure about meters. We certainly need them.
This is one of my favorite articles you've written, Melanie! So many interesting links and a-ha moments on how water is kept clean in pipes via pressure, or that sand was (and still is!) used as a step in filtration. Water and civilization are intertwined throughout history, and it's so easy to take it for granted from where I sit; this essay is a good reminder that I shouldn't!
Thanks Stephanie, I'm glad you liked it. I know I've been taking water for granted, but I'm now obsessed, there's just so much interesting about it.
What a great retrospective on water and its history Melanie! I am sort of a history buff. I think people tend to not notice things that are just prevalent. Even small towns in the United States have water towers. Lots of them are small town works of art with exotic paint jobs. These are the mechanism for maintaining pressure during times of high use like morning showers. In my travels at some point I realized that not everyone uses water towers around the world. I remember asking the question on tours and the guides weren't sure about it. I suppose they must install all sorts of electric booster pumps.
There are a few towns in NZ with water towers, some of which have decommissioned but are kept for historical reasons. Most places use large tanks/reservoirs on the top of nearby hills rather than building a tower, we have plenty of hills and the occasional earthquake which make this a better option.
Interesting! I suppose that is why I don't remember a lot of water towers when I lived in California! If you care for a smile look up Rochester, MN water tower. It is quite well known. Rochester, MN is the home of the world famous Mayo Clinic medical center.
Thanks Mark. Interesting about the water towers. When I was a child, my grandparents lived next to something we called it a 'water tower', but it wasn't really a tower, but a huge concrete reservoir. I see them around and they are never interesting or decorated, just concrete monoliths. In Wellington, though, there's a big reservoir on a hill which has been covered over with dirt and there's a park on top of it.
I don’t think anyone beats us southern Californians when it comes to shipping water from elsewhere. Large aqueducts gather water from the San Joaquin River Delta a bit south of San Francisco and direct it south. Great pumps raise the water into the mountains, about 1,100 meters, then it drains down to Los Angeles and the rest of Southern California. All in all, the water travels 500 kilometers before it comes out of my tap.
We get about as much water from the Colorado River, which travels an equally Herculean route to get here.
Wow, that's amazing. There's also the Great Man-Made River which supplies the cities on Libya's coast. That water travels at least as far as south California's water.
I learn so much from you. Thank you. This piece could be the beginning of a book, The History of Water. Truly fascinating.
I learn so much from you. Thank you. This piece could be the beginning of a book, The History of Water. Truly fascinating.
What a clear explanation of water contamination due to water pressure - I always appreciate your straightforward descriptions! And the Persian qanats - just wow!
Thank you. Yes, the qanats were a big wow for me too.