A Revolution in Irrigation Technology?

Is there enough fresh water on the planet? A new patent ensures that there will be.

(PRWEB) March 18, 2004 --Global consumption of fresh water is increasing daily. Unfortunately global supplies are not increasing at a comparable rate. With over 20% of the earth's population currently lacking access to safe drinking water a global crisis seems imminent. Even the United States is not immune to the impact of tightening supply on the Earth's most precious resource, water. Recent events can testify that farmers and ranchers in the Western States are already deeply familiar with the impact of increasing demand on our water supply. Inevitably the stress and strain of conflict produce a diamond. In this case the diamond is a patent which seeks to revolutionize the way we desalinate water. Both by dramatically lowering the cost of desalination and making water accessible where it is really needed.
   Governments at almost all levels have all begun to seek solutions to this threat. Most often they turn to large contractors who build half billion dollar desalination complexes to meet regional demand for fresh water. This is the case in such oil rich nations as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar, as well as in some coastal US cities. Occasionally governments and influential privately owned water districts will ask the people to tighten their belts and conserve ever increasing amounts of water. This has long been the case in California where state grants are offered to encourage the use and development of new conservation technologies. Even the Eastern states recently felt the sting of water restrictions as new laws were enacted to combat the drought situations.
   While the powers that be are seeking to find more money to build large and expensive complexes for desalinating water, Greg Kontos decided to look at the problem at the heart water shortages. The core problem of water shortages is the amount of fresh water used for irrigation. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) 60% of the Earth's supply of fresh water is consumed everyday by irrigation. So, rather than simply produce lots of fresh water, why not produce fresh water that will reduce this huge overhead of fresh water use. In so defining the problem, he has redefined the way future generations will look at the problem of water shortages and the task irrigation.
   Greg Kontos, from Richmond, VA refers to his patent simply as the Irrigation Desalinator. It works on the simple principles of gravity and evaporation. The system is constructed of simple and readily available plastics for a fraction of the cost of today's industrial desalination solutions. This low cost makes it possible for the world's poor, the hardest hit by water shortages, to get the fresh water they desperately need.
   The invention looks like an oddly shaped plastic pipe. When arranged into a network of pipes, it functions very much like a drip hose in your garden; but on a much larger scale. Many miles larger. The action of the desalinator is simple. Water is pumped inland to holding tanks. These tanks release the water at a predetermined rate into the Irrigation Desalinator. As the water flows downhill towards the sea, it is transformed into fresh water by the power of the sun. This resulting fresh water is then released onto the fields. The remaining salt water is returned harmlessly to the ocean after it has completed its life giving journey. In this way the Irrigation Desalinator provides fresh water where it is needed, and used, most - for irrigation.
   The inventor is currently scouting locations for a field test in anticipation of a green light for the project. He is hoping that localities and shore side land owners in the US and abroad will begin implementing this revolution in irrigation technology within the next 3 years.
   When asked to sum up the challenges he will face in getting people to implement his idea, he states "I think the fact that it is so inexpensive to construct the Irrigation Desalinator is the real strong point of this product. It makes for a scalable solution that people can implement where and when they need without having to invest or raise hundreds of millions of dollars. This low cost will make it very competitive in many currently existing markets. Additionally, the ease of implementation will open up many markets, which were previously unable to afford desalination. The economics are on my side."

   For More information contact:
   Greg Kontos            
   2219 W. Grace St. #5
   Richmond, VA 23220
   kontos@etehigraphy.com
   804-355-1637