Civil Engineering April 2021 | Vol 29 No 3

Civil Engineering April 2021 57 middle class might heed a positive sign of improved living standards; we need to be reminded that as populations grow, so do environmental pressures. And along with the consumption patterns of an expanding middle class, this will apply critical pressure on food, water, and en- ergy supply as the demand increases over the next few decades. The global demand for fresh water will rise by 40%, which will put pressure on water-stressed areas. Adding to this, the demand for energy will go up by 50%, further stressing these areas as 90% of all power generation is water-intense. As a result, it is possible that power plants will be forced to lower their production of en- ergy due to a lack of water for cooling. We therefore need to start using water more efficiently to meet the growing demands for water, food, and energy. There is also a strong relationship between everyday consumption of food and the use of water. For instance, it takes 70 ℓ of water to grow one apple and 40 ℓ to produce one slice of bread. However, what really puts pressure on water supply is meat production: to produce 1 kg of beef, 15 500 ℓ of water is required. Withdrawal of water for agriculture already accounts for approximately 70% of all water used globally. As both the population and the middle-class grow, the future demand for everyday goods will increase significantly, putting greater pressure on the environment. It goes without saying that water is a resource that is essential for continued human and economic development, and therefore must be protected. We cannot refill the world’s freshwater reserves, but we can change the way resources are used. The good news is that technologies to reduce energy consumption and leakage at all stages of the water cycle already exist — from production and distribution to wastewater pumping and treatment. Pressure sensors and variable speed drives play a key role in reducing global water and energy loss, especially when it comes to controlling irrigation systems. And with intelligent monitoring and adaptive pressure control, water utilities worldwide can significantly improve pressure management, leading to a great reduction in leakage and non-revenue water. The world stands on the verge of a sustainable transformation. Across the globe, Danfoss sustainable smart technologies power industries and cities, secure a reliable food supply, and create healthier, more comfortable indoor climates. At the same time, we are devel- oping solutions that integrate renewables into tomorrow’s smart energy systems, where on- and off-highway machinery and shipping are powered by hybrid and electric motors. This is where the transformation starts – in the way we heat, cool, connect, and feed a growing population. Together, we are engineering tomorrow.  Water scarcity will also be affected by the changing climate which, by 2050, will cause economic losses estimated at 6% to 14% of GDP. More than 40 years experience – In-House Geotechnical and IT expertise ASSISTANCE WITH PARAMETERS FOR ADVANCED MODELS SUCH AS NUMERICAL ANALYSIS AND NORSAND PREMIER SERVICE PROVIDER FOR GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS AND MONITORING SOLUTIONS: • CPTu Testing (Piezocone) • Seismic Cone Testing • Mostap Soil Sampling • Vibrating Wire Piezometer Supply and Installation • Telemetry and Monitoring Solutions • Connectivity Management and Visualisation Software B-BEEE LEVEL 4 SOUTH AFRICA | GHANA | NAMIBIA | TANZANIA | DRC | GUINEA | ZIMBABWE | ZAMBIA | MALI | IVORY COAST | MOZAMBIQUE | BOTSWANA | LESOTHO | MADAGASCAR Website: www.osimo.co.za | Email: osimo@osimo.co.za | Tel: 082 570 6446 | 082 373 0822