Greywater – waste water from non-toilet plumbing fixtures such as showers, basins and taps. Grey water comes out of taps

The greyhound loved tap dancing (grey is associated with taps).

Greywater – Comes out of taps

NOTE: Greywater is different from blackwater, which comes out of toilets, not taps. Blackwater contains faecal matter (poo) and/or urine (wee).

Treated greywater can be used for toilet flushing or for watering plants in the garden.

Greywater is used water from bathrooms, sinks, showers, tubs, and washing machines. It is not water that contains faeces or urine, either from the toilet or from washing nappies.

Greywater may contain traces of dirt, food, grease, hair, and certain household cleaning products.

While it may look “dirty,” it is a safe and even beneficial source of irrigation water in a garden.

If greywater is released into streams, rivers or lakes its nutrients become pollutants, but to plants, they are valuable fertiliser.

Reusing greywater keeps it out of the sewer or septic system, eliminating the slightest chance that it will find its way into local water bodies, either by accident or in flooding or other emergency situations.

For an effective greywater system, it is essential to use “plant friendly” products in washing machines and other appliances – those without lots of salt, boron (a trace mineral) or chlorine bleach. The build-up of salts and boron in the soil can damage plants.

Water Conflict – Disputes between different regions or countries about the distribution and use of fresh water. Conflicts arise from the gap between growing demands and diminishing supplies

From her water container she flicked (water conflict) water all over the people. It caused an argument and later a regional dispute. 

Water conflict is a term for disagreements, sometimes violent, between countries, states or groups over the right to access water resources.

For instance, Pakistan and India have been locked in dispute over the waters of the Indus Basin for many years.

Freshwater is essential for survival, but it is an unevenly distributed natural resource. Availability of water impacts the living and economic conditions of countries and regions.

Conflict can arise over shared river basins or groundwater that crosses borders. In the case of shared surface water, disputes may arise over the quantity and timing of upstream releases in relation to downstream demands.

In 2020, it was reported that conflicts involving water had more than doubled over the past decade. Sometimes water is the root cause, but usually there are multiple reasons. Water disputes are often mixed with problems such as poverty, inequality and hunger.

Water Conservation – The preservation, control and development of water resources, both surface and groundwater, and prevention of pollution

The water needs control and preservation (water conservation) otherwise we will run out of it.

Water conservation includes all the policies, strategies and activities that are aimed at managing the natural resource of fresh water sustainably.

Factors such as increases in populations and climate change have put more pressure on natural water resources, especially in manufacturing and agricultural irrigation.

Many countries have implemented policies aimed at water conservation, with much success, but many low-income countries are yet to formulate robust policies and strategies.

The aims of water conservation include:

• Safeguarding the availability of water for future generations by ensuring the withdrawal of water from an ecosystem does not exceed its natural replacement rate.
• Energy conservation, as water pumping, delivery and wastewater treatment consume a large amount of energy.
• Habitat conservation – minimising human water usage helps to preserve freshwater habitats for local wildlife and migrating waterfowl.

Strategies in water conservation include rainwater harvesting. This involves digging ponds, lakes or canals to expand the water resource, and installing rainwater-catching ducts and filtration systems on homes and other buildings.

Water Deficit – Not enough water supply. This exists where water demand is greater than supply

The water is deaf and sits (water deficit) too far down. It won't come out. There just isn't enough water.

Regions that have insufficient water supplies are known as water deficit areas. They can be in deficit because of low rainfall or high evaporation rates.  Another cause can be high populations which place big demands on a limited water supply.

North Africa, the Middle East, South Africa and northern China often face severe water shortages. These are due to physical scarcity (deficit) and overpopulation relative to the size of their water supplies.

Water Insecurity – When water availability is not enough to ensure the population of an area enjoys good health, livelihood and earnings; not enough water at times

Water Insecurity can be caused by water insufficiency or poor water quality. 

The water was supposed to be in a secure (water insecurity) unit, but it's all gone.

Water insecurity is defined as the lack of a reliable source of water, of appropriate quality and quantity to meet the needs of the local human population and environment. 

There's a big difference between water insecurity and water deficit.

Water insecurity can occur even in countries that have plenty of water due to, for instance, pollution of the supply or inability to access it; while a country that has a water deficit has a physical shortage of water.

Other factors that can make a water supply insecure include saltwater encroachment along coasts, contamination from agriculture and industrial water pollution.

Water Quality – Quality can be measured in terms of the chemical, physical and biological content of water

The most common standards used to assess water quality relate to health of ecosystems, safety of human contact and drinking water. 

One of the water droplets won a rosette for quality (water quality). 

Electrical conductivity measures the ability of water to conduct an electrical current. The higher the concentration of dissolved charged chemicals (also known as salts) in the water, the greater the electrical current that can be conducted. Charged ions include calcium, potassium, chloride and nitrates. A higher figure indicates pollution.

Water quality relates to the suitability of water for drinking, recreational uses, and as habitat for aquatic organisms and other wildlife. Water can easily be polluted by industrial leakages and the run-off of pesticides, fertilisers and other chemicals from agricultural activity. Diseases, including cholera, can spread in water.

While high-income countries might pride themselves on excellent domestic water supplies, many do not measure up when it comes to natural waterways and lakes. For instance, in England, the Environment Agency reported in 2020 that every river, lake and stream in the country was polluted to some extent.

Water Security – More than enough water at all times. The reliable availability of an acceptable quantity of water for health, livelihoods and production

I made sure my water was secure (water security) and that I had more than enough of it.

Water security is achieved when the whole population of a country has continuous access to water of sufficient quality for drinking, bathing and other purposes. Water security also relates to a country's environment: rivers, lakes and other water areas need to be of a standard capable of supporting wildlife.

One of the main ways of storing water, and thereby achieving water security for many, is to build dams, which creates reservoirs.

However, some dam schemes have caused as many problems as they have solved, securing water for people living nearer the dam, but causing a shortage further downstream for people dependent on the river that has been dammed.

Desalination – removal of salt from seawater – is an option for some countries with coastlines, but there may be a downside. Unless renewable sources such as solar or wind power are used at desalination plants, there may be increased dependence on fossil fuels; and marine life can be adversely affected by huge intakes of seawater for desalination.

Water Stress – occurs when the demand for water exceeds the available amount during a certain period or when poor quality restricts its use

The water was under stress (water stress) from all sides. There was not enough available for everyone at all times.

Water stress is a huge problem – a report by the World Resources Institute in 2019 stated that a quarter of the world's population was living in areas of extremely high water stress.

Water stress can be caused by drought, deforestation, flooding, climate change, increased water pollution, wasteful use and overpopulation.

Twelve of the 17 countries at highest risk of water stress are in the Middle East and North Africa.

While it is true that water stress occurs in many low-income countries (LICs), it is also a problem for a number of high-income countries (HICs). For instance, Israel is ranked as one of the most water-stressed countries, having suffered a chronic water shortage for years.

When demand for water gets close to exceeding supply, even short dry spells – which experts say are set to increase because of the climate crisis – can produce dire consequences.

Water Surplus – Water supply is greater than demand

The water survey gives it an A star plus (surplus). There's more than enough water here.

More than 60% of the world’s fresh water is found in just ten countries. Water surplus regions include the Amazon Basin, large parts of North America and Western Europe. These are temperate or tropical wet areas with high rainfall and, usually, lower populations.

Many countries have areas of both water surplus and water deficit. In these circumstances, supplies can sometimes be transferred from one area to another. This is called a water transfer scheme. Canals and pipes transport the water to rivers or reservoirs in other parts of the country.

For instance, the city of Las Vegas is able to exist in the Nevada Desert because water is transferred to it.

While there are some schemes that transfer water from one country to another, this often proves problematic for reasons of difficult terrain, distance and high cost.

Water Transfer – Schemes attempting to make up for water shortages by constructing elaborate systems of canals, pipes and dredging over long distances to transport water from one river basin to another

Water pipe transfers (water transfer) were rubbed onto the map and you could see how the pipes were used to transport water around the country.

There are several water transfer schemes in the UK. These include the supply of water from Wales to Liverpool and from the Lake District to Manchester.

Worldwide, there are many plans for the large-scale transfer of water from one region to another, and even one country to another, but such schemes can bring major economic, social and environmental impacts.

For instance, communities around the donor water source can be affected by lower water levels, limiting their own access to fresh water supplies and their capacity to water crops for food.

Already, some large water transfer projects have caused the displacement of entire communities.

While water transfer might be the answer to water shortages in some areas, planners must proceed with caution to ensure that solving a problem in one place doesn't mean the creation of new problems in another.

Waterborne Diseases – Diseases caused by micro-organisms in contaminated water. Infection commonly results during bathing, washing and drinking

NOTE: Contamination can also occur in the preparation of food, or the consumption of infected food. Diseases such as cholera, typhoid and botulism can be transmitted in this way. 

Water was splashed on the newborn baby's head but the water caused a disease (waterborne diseases). It just shows you shouldn't use contaminated water for bathing, washing or drinking.

Waterborne diseases are caused by microorganisms contained in contaminated water.

Infection usually occurs during bathing, washing, drinking, food preparation or the eating of infected food.

Diseases that can spread in this way include cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A and E, and botulism.

Lack of available clean water poses significant problems for people and governments in many parts of the world, including Chad, Papua New Guinea, Uganda, Mozambique, Somalia, Nigeria and Pakistan.

According to the World Health Organization, waterborne diseases account for about 1.5 million human deaths annually.

About 58% of that total (around 842,000 deaths per year), is attributable to a lack of safe drinking water supply, sanitation and hygiene.

Biomass – Renewable organic materials such as wood, agricultural crops or wastes, especially when used as a source of fuel or energy

Note: Biomass can be burned directly or processed into biofuels such as ethanol and methane.

You can buy a mass (biomass) of organic material but you might still have to work on it.

Biomass means "natural material". When biomass energy is burned it releases heat, just like the wood logs in a campfire.

Biomass such as animal waste and organic waste is broken down by micro organisms in light- and oxygen-free conditions. This fermentation process produces methane and carbon dioxide (the biogas). The biogas is burned to turn an engine and this turns a spindle between magnets to generate electricity.

Biomass, made from waste plant or animal material, can be burned to produce heat and electricity.

Biomass in the form of sewage can be turned into dried pellets, which are burned with coal in power stations to produce heat. The heat produces steam to power electricity generators.

Although biomass uses waste products, it costs money to transport and is as expensive as coal.

The four types of biomass we mostly use today are wood and agricultural products; solid waste; landfill gas; and alcohol fuels.

Alcohol fuel is made by converting wheat, corn, and other crops into liquid fuels including ethanol and methanol.

Biomass is widely available and is carbon neutral. It reduces reliance on, and is cheaper than, fossil fuels.

On the debit side, biomass is not as efficient as fossil fuels and is not entirely clean, so can pollute. Also, biomass plants require a large amount of space.

Energy Conservation – Reducing energy consumption and becoming more efficient in using existing energy sources

In order to understand the term "energy conservation," we need to first understand the word "conservation".

Conservation – using resources carefully (spread them as carefully and as little as possible).

The jam conserve (conservation) was spread thinly because there was so little left in the jar.

So energy conservation is spreading or using the energy as carefully and as sparingly as possible.

Ways to spread our limited energy so it is more carefully used include:

Apart from individual efforts to conserve energy, many governments and some large corporations are encouraging big schemes to achieve huge reductions in the amount of energy we use.

Examples include support for working from home rather than costly and polluting commuting; encouragement of the use of bicycles or public transport for those who must travel to work; and grants for improving the insulation of homes and other buildings in colder countries.

There are also ratings for the energy efficiency of electrical appliances and in the UK there is a system for grading houses according to their overall energy efficiency, known as energy performance certificates (EPC).

Energy Exploitation – Developing and using natural energy resources to the greatest possible advantage, usually for profit

The energy company executives had a ploy to deprive the developing nation (energy exploitation) of all its fossil fuels at huge profit to their firm. 

Energy is the basics of industrial civilisation; without energy, modern life would cease to exist. However, the exploitation, exploration, conversion and use of energy comes with effects that impact the environment.

Coal, oil and gas have been the mainstay of industry, transport, domestic heating and many other areas of our lives for so long it's hard to imagine the world without them.

And yet, before we reach the halfway mark of the 21st century, the exploitation of geologic, or fossil-fuel, resources looks set to end.

Much of global warming is attributed to the use of fossil fuels. They also cause air, land and water pollution. In cities, the pollution from traffic and other sources has been found to shorten thousands of people's lives.

A number of countries have announced the phasing out of petrol and diesel car manufacturing in favour of electric vehicles.

With the end of the exploitation of coal, oil and gas deposits comes the exploitation of renewable resources such as wind, solar and wave power.

Exploiting renewable energy is already a huge activity worldwide. In some countries, renewables provide a large percentage of power consumption.

In 2019, around 11% of global primary energy came from renewable technologies.

But some regions are much further ahead. For instance, in 2020 the European Union announced that renewable generation overtook coal and gas.

Energy Security – Uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price

While they extracted energy from the ground, they needed security (energy security) but it did ensure an uninterrupted supply.

Or alternatively: 

Is our energy supply secure? (energy security). Are we sure it won't be uninterrupted and always affordable?

Energy resources are distributed unequally between different countries. For instance, Russia and Canada have more energy resources than they need, so are currently very energy secure.

At the other end of the scale, some countries produce very little or no energy, and so must import energy from other countries.

For instance, many European countries depend on Russia for supplies of gas via a pipeline network that crosses many borders.

A country is said to be energy insecure if is unable to provide sufficient energy for its needs, either through its own resources, importing, or both. Another problem might be lack of infrastructure for the delivery of energy to industry and homes.

Countries with high levels of energy insecurity tend to be poor and have low industrial output.

However, given global warming and the fact that so many countries are committing to producing less CO₂, the current inequalities in energy security could shift as wind, solar and tidal power are increasingly brought into play.

To take just one example – solar – countries that have plenty of sunshine are the best places to site panels; and the countries where the sun shines most tend to be poorer ones.

Geothermal energy – Energy generated by heat stored deep in the earth

In order to learn the term geothermal we need to break down the word and remember its parts:

Geo = earth

Thermal = heat

The way to remember thermal is heat:

My Thermos flask always has a hot drink in it.

Thermal = heat

The way to remember that Geo is earth:

Gee! we owe (geo) everything to the earth.

Geo = earth

So

Geothermal = Earth Heat
or heat from the earth

Geothermal is heat from the earth that can be used to heat things like a house:

Pipes buried in the earth with water circulating through them can be used to heat a house.

If you dug a deep hole in the ground, you would notice the temperature increasing as you go lower and lower.

This is geothermal energy – the heat stored in the earth which originates from the formation of the planet and from the radioactive decay of materials.

The core of the earth is molten rock, with a temperature of about 5,200° Celsius (9,392° Fahrenheit). The temperature reduces greatly towards the earth's surface, but even the lower heat in the crust (see Mammoth Memory, The Structure of the Earth) is sufficient to provide heat for a variety of purposes, including the heating of homes.

Geothermal energy is one of the ways in which people's dependency on fossil fuels (oil, coal and gas) is being broken, providing sustainable energy – that is, energy with no significant consequences for the environment either now or in the future.

Geothermal power plants take heat from deep inside the Earth to generate steam to make electricity, while geothermal heat pumps tap into heat close to the Earth's surface to heat water and buildings.

Hydroelectric power – Electricity generated by turbines that are driven by moving water

The hydrant could certainly generate some electric power (hydroelectric power). The water the hydrant shot out could spin a turbine and generate a lot of electrical power.

Note: Hydroelectric power and hydropower are the same thing.

Creating electric power using water:

Hydroelectric power is the use of falling or fast-running water to produce electricity.

It is a type of sustainable energy production, achieved by converting the movement of water (kinetic energy) into electrical energy.

Turbines, turned by the power of the moving water, generate electricity, which is then fed into the electrical grid to be used in homes, businesses, and industry.

An example of a highly efficient hydroelectric power plant is situated at Dinorwig, in North Wales. It was built in an old slate quarry on the side of a mountain.

It creates energy by opening its six valves, the ball mechanisms for which are the largest ever built, allowing the water from its top reservoir to flow through turbines to a lower reservoir.

Cheap off-peak surplus power is used to pump water back up to the higher reservoir.

Nuclear Power – The energy released by a nuclear reaction, especially by fission or fusion

Nuclear energy uses fuel made from mined and processed uranium to make steam and generate electricity.

Now Use Caution, Loose Electrons Are Reacting

The initial letters of "now use caution, loose electrons are reacting" make the word nuclear to remind you that nuclear power is all about the energy from the atom.

An atom with electrons, neutrons and protons:

Nuclear energy is the energy in the nucleus, or core, of an atom.

Nuclear power is the practice of splitting atoms to boil water, turn turbines and generate electricity.

Nuclear Power Generator:

Steam is produced from the nuclear reactor, which turns a turbine, which then generates electricity.

It is predicted that there will be an increasing role for nuclear power as a means of producing reliable electricity on a large scale.

Electricity demand is increasing about twice as fast as overall energy use and is likely to rise by more than half over the next twenty years. 

Nuclear power currently provides about 10% of the world's electricity.

While several countries have decided to phase out their nuclear energy programmes because of perceived risks associated with the technology, almost all reports on future energy supplies predict an increase in nuclear power generation. 

The risks associated with nuclear power include the possibility of accidental releases of radiation which can threaten lives and wellbeing, and the problem of disposing of waste, which remains radioactive for lengthy periods.

Nuclear disasters at Chernobyl, Ukraine, in 1986 (the result of an accident), and at Fukushima, Japan, in 2011 (the result of an earthquake that caused a tsunami) are evidence of the dangers of nuclear power generation.

Other issues with nuclear power include:

• Decommissioning nuclear power stations (dismantling and making them harmless) at the end of their lives is very expensive.
• The uranium and plutonium used to generate the power are not renewable, so will eventually run out.

However, many still regard nuclear energy as clean and safe. They emphasise that, apart from the radioactive waste issue, it does not create air pollution or release greenhouse gases, and that the only by-product is steam, which is recycled into the atmosphere as clean water vapour.

Renewable Energy Sources – resources which are not diminished when they are used; they recur and cannot be exhausted (inexhaustible). Examples of renewable energy sources are wind, tidal and solar energy

I renewed because I was able to choose a different energy source (renewable energy source) which provided me with energy that wasn't depleted when used.

A way of memorising what renewable energy sources are is to remember what the opposite is, i.e. what is non-renewable. Non-renewable energy sources are easier to remember. What cannot be renewed is coal, oil and gas.

Nuclear energy is usually considered to be a non-renewable energy source. This is because, although nuclear energy itself is renewable, the material used in nuclear power plants is not.

Renewable energy sources are the ones that constantly replenish themselves. They include the sun, wind, moving water, and geothermal (underground) heat.

The advantages of renewable energy resources include:

• Infinite energy supply
• Health and environmental benefits – no pollution
• generally lower maintenance requirements
• Reduced reliance on foreign energy resources

But there are also some disadvantages with renewable sources.

To take one – solar energy – as an example:

• The manufacture and implementation of solar panels can be costly
• Energy is only supplied during daylight hours, and even then the sun must be shining for sufficient power generation
• Storing energy produced by solar panels requires large batteries, which are expensive
• Large areas of land are required for solar farms

Each renewable has its own particular disadvantages – for instance, wind power requires the manufacture and siting of huge turbines and wind can be an unreliable source of constant energy.

Nevertheless, renewables are seen as the way forward and most countries are committed to increasing the use of these sources in response to increasingly alarming warnings about global warming.

Solar energy – The sun's energy exploited by solar panels, collectors or cells to heat water or air or to generate electricity

It's so large (solar) and in the sky, it has to be the sun and it gives off light energy.

Solar comes from the latin word "solaris" which means "of the sun"

Solaris = of the sun
(Latin)                      

Unfortunately, solar energy is not a global answer to mankind's energy needs.

Its effective use depends on the climate. In countries where the sun shines almost every day, solar is a boon. But in countries where cloud is more common, or where days are short for a large part of the year, solar is not a practical solution.

However, countries like the UK – which has an annual average of about 4.5 hours of sunshine per day compared, for instance, with more than nine hours a day in Egypt - can still make effective use of solar power.

The installation of solar panels on the roofs of houses and on an increasing number of industrial and commercial buildings helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

The panels can be used for heating hot water or, in what is known as a photovoltaic (PV) system, generate electricity that can be used or stored in batteries for later use. Solar panels are also used to provide outdoor lighting, and lighting for road signage.

While the advantages of solar energy are clear – an endless supply of energy with no pollution – there are some disadvantages over and above the weather dependency considerations already mentioned. These include:

• Solar panels are expensive to manufacture and install
• Storage of the energy generated is expensive due to the high cost of the batteries  
• Solar farms can take up large areas of land

However, the race is on to make solar cells more efficient and less expensive. When this happens, expect solar energy to move into new applications, possibly including transport.