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| Reduce, Reuse, Recycle |
Water is an essential component for all life on earth. Humans are totally dependent on nature, as fresh water makes civilization possible. However, fresh water requires a healthy planet, and human actions are putting our planet at risk.
Human activities place significant demands on our water resources. The Clean Water Act of 1972 is part of the regulations attempting to protect our water resources by establishing water quality standards.
As climate change dramatically alters water availability, access, and quality, fines have been imposed for water waste. Water waste is any water, other than natural precipitation, that flows or sprays from a property to the public right-of-way or adjacent property. Landscape irrigation is the most common cause of water waste, but it can also result from air conditional systems, leaks, car washing, draining pools, and other uses of water.
The relatively low price for domestic water use in the US continues to drive the nation's wanton consumption. Increasing the price could reduce demand. Additionally, the EPA recommends reusing and recycling water as key steps to reduce stress on water resources.
Sports
One path for water conservation involves the sports world, which uses water for irrigation, restrooms, cooling towers, and more.
Some actions that can reduce demand and conserve water are:
- install turf or fake grass and efficient landscaping
- water fields with recycled water
- use high efficiency equipment and restroom fixtures
It was 1994 when federally mandated low-flow shower heads, faucets, and toilets began to appear on the scene in significant numbers.
Landscaping
Another path for water conservation involves landscaping.
A few tips for reducing demand and conserving water use include:
- include drought-tolerant and regionally adapted plants
- cover pools and spas to avoid evaporation
- check for possible leaks and wasted water in all pipes and sprinkler systems
- don't water during the hottest parts of the day
Water Collection
Another way to reduce demand on water resources is for individuals to collect and store rainwater.
In Utah, you can store two 100-gallon containers on your property. You can even have up to 2500 gallons stored, so long as you register that you're doing so with the Utah Division of Water Rights (which costs nothing).
A 2007 study found that only an average of 3% of rainwater actually returns to the stream or ground, so put that other 97% to use!
In China
Water conservation is a global concern.
Over-extraction of groundwater and falling water tables are big problems in China, particularly the north, just like they are in the arid western US. As water tables fall, the ground (and any building built on that ground) sinks. Over 60,000 square kilometers and over 50 cities have experienced this problem.
One solution to the water crisis is to divert rivers to meet demand. However, this can cause political tension between nations that share the water supply. In addition, the more water that has to be moved, the more energy is needed to move it, and that energy comes from coal-fired power plants.
Polluted water is also a problem, because it contains dangerous levels of arsenic, fluorine, sulfates, or even radiation. One-half of China's population lacks safe drinking water. Two-thirds of China's rural population (over 500 million people) use water contaminated by human and industrial waste. 80% of the rivers in the northern province of Shanxi have been rated "unfit for human contact."
At Home
Here are some final tips for stuff you can do to conserve water:
Conserving water at home
In addition, you can go here to take a pledge at ChangeTheCourse.us to reduce your water usage. As individuals pledge to reduce their own water consumption, corporations connected with Change the Course "return water to an ecosystem in need". Exploring the site has more information on how to specifically get involved in doing something with tangible results.
The most important thing to remember is that doing a little something makes a big difference when many millions of people do it, so do something!
