 Seventy-five percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. And only a small percentage of that water is fresh and able to be utilized as safe drinking water. Water and natural water systems is a precious natural resource that is mandatory for survival of our biodiversity.
One of the many issues of water is our misunderstanding of our water cycle and the interconnectedness of natural plants and development. When more land is developed for residential and commercial use, more surface area where the water is accustom to gently and gradually being absorbed into the ground is quickly whisked away into retention ponds, small creeks, rivers and municipal storm water systems. Dorene Bolve, the executive director of a water preservation group, says that when water is not absorbed in the ground, all the water and debris can easily end up in our rivers, lakes and oceans. This creates a serious effect that can promote drought in areas and detrimental effects on the wildlife that need the water systems for survival.
Another misconception is that clean water is free. Clean water takes energy to create. There are tremendous amounts of energy utilized in order to purify, pump and go through the waste water treatment facility to clarify water for human consumption. The water that is pumped into your home and comes through your tap has gone through this process. Another important component is that the water initially comes from our fresh water systems such as lakes and rivers, which can impact our wildlife if we are not cautious to conserve. The bottom line is that the water that comes to your home through your tap should be utilized for human consumption and not wastefully.
If you are like the millions who like lush grass, bountiful gardens, clean cars and driveways, you should consider collecting rainwater for those uses. Not only is it economical, but it is a wiser use of water than using municipally cleaned water. Many homeowners have purchased and made rain barrels to attach to their downspouts to catch rainwater for this purpose. By doing this, you will see a dramatic decrease in your water bill and will have done your part to conserve water.
By understanding that clean water has value and is interconnected with other aspects of our environment, it is important to conserve and only use what is needed.
The following are ideas on how you can conserve water and use it wisely:
1. Limit your daily shower to five minutes
2. Buy a rain barrel and allow water running off from roofs to collect and be utilized for gardens, cleaning cars, and washing vehicles
3. Repair all water leaks in your home such as a leaky toilet or faucet on both the inside and outside.
4. Install low flow showerheads
5. Install sink faucet aerators
6. Purchase water efficient toilets that use less water (less than 1.6 gallons per flush)
7. When planning landscaping projects, use native plants that are more accustom to the local water cycles and do not need excess watering
8. Use a broom to sweep outside areas instead of using a water hose
9. Install permeable pavers in areas where you would like a driveway or patio
10. Use a layer of mulch around plants to reduce water evaporation
11. Adjust your lawnmower to a higher setting so that the longer grass can shade root systems which hold moisture better
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