Hi. I’m Arno. I’m with the Aquanauts.
Here at Aquanaut Central, we’re wild about water and how to make sure there’s enough for everyone who needs it now and in years to come.
We keep an eye on what’s happening to our water, looking at new innovations and what we and YOU can do to help!
We asked you about what big questions you have about the future of water… maybe you’re wondering if we could ever run out of fresh water or what is the newest water invention? Or whether the power of the sun could clean dirty water and how much water actually is there on Earth?
No question was too big or too small, and now the experts at Cardiff University have the answers to your questions!
The Winner
What technologies are being developed to ensure sustainable water management for future generations?
There are many new ways being created to help take care of water! In the future, smart computers (using AI) will help watch and manage how water is used. People are also using nature – like plants and wetlands, to clean and save water in eco-friendly ways!
We had lots of other questions too!
Can water be made scientifically?
Technically yes. In laboratories, the combination of hydrogen and oxygen makes water. But because it requires energy to produce the hydrogen and oxygen gases, it’s not affordable to make water as we do in the lab for day to day use.
Can we run out of water?
Yes, clean water is a limited resource. We can run out of it if we do not make efforts to reduce our use of it.
Could we send water to the moon for people who live on the moon?
No one lives on the moon (… yet) but physically water could be sent to space in specific packages which is meant for the space use only.
How can we scale up condensation at home for fresh water?
It depends on the geographical conditions, and it may not be possible in some places. In addition, the produced water is not too much.
How do we stop the irreversible contamination of groundwater by microplastics and industrial waste?
The easiest and most direct way is to reduce them at source: use less plastic during our manufacturing processes and use more biodegradable materials.
Will antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wastewater lead to future pandemics?
Yes. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are immune to most of our medicines and could trigger a pandemic. Therefore, it is important to treat our wastewater well and control our use of anti-biotics, so that these bacteria become less common in our wastewater.
Can we sustainably feed 10 billion people without draining aquifers?
Producing food requires significant amount of water and we need to reduce wastage (of food and production process) to be able to produce food sustainability for the growing population. More advanced technologies such hydroponic systems (growing without soil) can reduce water consumption and makes agriculture more sustainable.
How do you monitor flood levels?
Flood levels can be monitored by a combination of river gauges and satellite images.
How long does it take to clean water at a water treatment plant?
It usually takes several hours, sometimes even up to a day, and is dependent on how dirty the water is and the specific cleaning steps needed.
How much water can a cloud hold before it rains?
It is nice to know that it varies. But at some points in time, millions of gallons of water can be held in clouds
If water evaporates and falls back to earth through precipitation in a continuous cycle, how can there be a shortage? Where does it go?
It is important to know that rain does not necessarily fall in the place where water gets evaporated, thus some places become dry and some places become wetter. Also, climate change and water pollution make clean water less available to us.
If you drink a glass of water, what’s the chance of drinking any of that water again in the future?
The chance of drinking some of the water molecules that exist in a glass water again in the future is actually very high, considering the number of water molecules in a glass of water.
Is it correct that all the water we drink today is the same water that’s been recycled from dinosaur times?
The total amount of water on Earth has stayed pretty constant for billions of years.
The road near us had a water leak, but how would they find a water leak under ground or in countryside where it’s not where people live?
If there’s a water leak underground or out in the countryside where no one lives, workers use special tools to help find it. Sometimes they use listening devices that can hear water hissing or dripping under the ground. Other times, they use special cameras that go inside the pipes to look for cracks. They also look for clues like wet ground or muddy spots in one area—those can mean there’s water leaking underground! Unfortunately, these leaks sometimes are not found for a while.
What are the latest innovations in water conservation technology?
There are lots of cool new ways to save water! For example, smart farms use special computers and sensors to give plants just the right amount of water, so they don’t waste any. And in cities, smart technology can find leaks in water pipes super fast, so we don’t lose water by accident!
What technologies can be developed to improve water purification and desalination?
New technologies like graphene filters and solar-powered desalination systems can make water purification faster, cheaper, and more eco-friendly! These tools help remove salt and harmful stuff from dirty water so more people can have clean water to drink.
Where does the water go when the tide is out?
When the tide is out, the water doesn’t disappear — it just moves! When the tide goes out (called “low tide”), the ocean water moves away from the shore and flows to another part of the ocean where it’s high tide somewhere else. It’s like the ocean is slowly rising and falling throughout the day!
Why can’t we use sea water for baths and washing up? Then we could have purer water for drinking.
We don’t usually use sea water for baths or washing because it’s very salty. The salt can dry out our skin and make soap not work very well. It can also make clothes feel rough and leave stuff behind on them.
Why is water being polluted?
Water gets polluted when people throw trash, chemicals, or dirty water into rivers, lakes, and oceans. Factories, farms, and even cars can let harmful things get into the water. This pollution can hurt fish, animals, and even people who need clean water to live.
Will cars ever run on water?
Hmm… cars can’t drive on top of water like on a road — they’re too heavy and would sink! But there are special cars that can go on land and float like boats. They’re kind of like car-boats! So, while your regular car won’t zoom across a lake anytime soon, some cool vehicles can ride on water!
Where is the deepest part of the ocean?
The deepest part of the oceans is called the Mariana Trench. It’s in the Pacific Ocean, near a group of islands called the Mariana Islands. The very deepest spot in the trench is called the Challenger Deep, and it’s about 11,000 meters (or nearly 7 miles) deep!
Can water molecules separate to make O2 and hydrogen
Yes, they can get separated to make O2 and hydrogen through a process called electrolysis. That is one of the main ways to produce hydrogen.
Could the earth ever run out of water?
We will not technically “run out” of water since water changes its form on Earth – sea water, cloud, rainfall and so on via the water cycle. Drinkable water though is a limited resource, and we need to use it wisely and responsibly.
How heavy is water?
One litre of pure water weighs about the same as one kilogram, which is a little over two pounds
How is water made?
Chemically, water is made of two tiny hydrogen atoms together with one big oxygen atom.
How many people don’t have access to clean water?
Around 2 billion people don’t have access to clean water which means that from every 4 people, one of them is lacking clean water.
Want to know more?
‘This is Engineering’ is an initiative led by the Royal Academy of Engineering in partnership with EngineeringUK and major engineering organisations to encourage young people from all backgrounds to consider a career in engineering. Click HERE to find out more… or perhaps visit the Museum of Engineering Innovation.
Stick with us… we’re going to be helping you understand the challenges ahead, and discover some of the cool engineering and careers that are helping solve the issues. We’re also going to find out how we can all make a difference with more tips on how you can become an Aquanaut and help engineer our water future!