Feb 13
Sometimes removing a dam is a better “fix” than repair. Listen up: Let’s start with the good news. Thousands of dams across the U.S. harness rivers to reap a variety of goods and services. And here’s the economic but: As those dams age, their owners can face significant repair or maintenance costs. Brian Graber of …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.currentcast.org/water-and-energy/when-cutting-dam-losses-just-makes-cents/
Feb 12
Hydropower is one of the cleaner energy options, but that doesn’t make it perfect. Wade into this: Rushing, cascading water doesn’t just power epic rafting trips—fast-flowing water also creates hydropower. It goes something like this: A dam is built in a river, holding back the water to form a reservoir. When released, the force of …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.currentcast.org/water-and-energy/hydroelectric-power/
Feb 11
Take a leak…and fix it like a pro. Listen up for a simple how-to: Why settle for leaky faucets when sealing ’em up can be as easy as one, two, three? Karen Wirth of the EPA’s WaterSense program explains the problem—and the simple solution. “An American home can waste on average more than 11,000 gallons …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.currentcast.org/water-conservation-2/seal-that-leak/
Feb 10
Crop-based biofuels burn cleaner than gasoline—but there’s a hitch. Listen up for the water-guzzling scoop: Everything you’ve heard is true: Compared with fossil fuels, burning biofuels releases fewer greenhouse gases. But what you might not know is that producing the cleaner-burning fuel also requires a lot of water. Take corn-based ethanol, for example, which is …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.currentcast.org/water-and-energy/the-water-footprint-of-biofuels/
Feb 07
It’s time to ditch the notion that all ditches are created equal. With a few smart improvements, a roadside ditch can lead to cleaner water. Listen up: Here’s the new and improved job description for the ubiquitous ditch: A thoughtfully engineered ditch reduces flooding and water pollution, contributing to cleaner waterways everywhere. The opportunity for …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.currentcast.org/stormwater-management/roadside-ditches/
