Hacker News Reader

Comment by asdff | Hacker News Reader

Almonds use way too much water and they shouldn't be grown in California. Over a gallon of water is needed to grow 1 almond.

https://www.paesta.psu.edu/podcast/how-much-water-does-it-re...

View on HN

From the article: “[The farmers] also completely disagree that one almond takes 1.1 gallons of water to grow and are appalled to think people would believe that. On the other hand, there are countless articles that stand behind the findings of almonds and other nuts using too much water. If I had to chose who to believe, I would stick with the farmers since they are dealing with the almonds first hand, and not the media []”

Why is the water "wasted"? It doesn't go away like burning fuel or become irreversibly contaminated in the process.

From what I understand in CA fresh water is in short supply due certain users essentially getting it for free.

Also: remember that while water is part of a natural cycle, aquifers are used up and don’t get replenished.

Many aquifers do get replenished. It depends on the aquifer.

For example, Texas's Edwards Aquifer, near San Antonio, has a large recharge zone.

Because it evaporates or seeps into the ground and is no longer in a useful form any more. That's why it's a "waste"ful use.

> become irreversibly contaminated

Well if you're spraying pesticides and fertilisers the water is likely being contaminated.

Also, minerals in the soil can contaminate drainwater.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selenium_pollution

>19%: The Great Water-Power Wake-Up Call

>A few years back, number crunchers at the California Energy Commission tried to add up how much electrical power (and other forms of energy) goes into using water in California. The bottom line number they came up with: 19%. That is, nearly a fifth of all the power generated in California — as well as huge quantities of natural gas and diesel fuel consumed in the state — goes into water-related uses.

http://ww2.kqed.org/climatewatch/2012/06/10/19-percent-calif...

Irrigation is a CO2 emitter - especially when water is transported all the way from the Colorado River to California farms.

Is that a lot? I can't imagine a better use for power than sustaining the basic necessity of life.

The basic necessity of life: "almonds".

The 19% figure refers to just almonds?

No, it was a tongue in cheek comment, but the majority of that figure is used for high value cash crops, not for basic necessities.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com