Protect yourself from water supply issues!

“Water? Are we worried about that too?”… Unfortunately, there is a growing body of concern over our water supplies and the interrelated link to water and runoff management near our homes and buildings.

Scientists at the United Nations are predicting that “more than 2.7 billion people will face severe water shortages by the year 2025 if the world continues consuming water at the same rate”.  

There are numerous reasons contributing to the cause of this pending shortage.  First, as the world’s population continues to grow, so does demand for fresh water and irrigation water.  According to the World Water Council, while the world’s population has doubled since 1900, demand for water has grown by six fold.   This seems to point to increased standards of living and an increased use of water for irrigation. 

While demand is increasing, supplies are decreasing.  The U.S. Green Building Council reports that in some parts of the U.S. underground water aquifer levels have dropped 100 feet since the 1940s.  One contributing factor is the impact of development and impervious surfaces. This term refers to any surface that prevents water from infiltrating into the ground, such as roofs on buildings and homes, paved parking lots and structures, driveways and roads. As we continue to develop we not only create more of these surfaces but as our home and building and car sizes increase so do the amount of space occupied by these impervious surfaces. The net affect is that more water runs off of properties and less infiltrates and recharges underground aquifers.  You may know people who have underground wells for their home water supply, some of which are requiring re-drilling to a deeper level to hit usable water.

Climate change is also contributing to the issue as mountain snow pack disappears.  Some areas, such as parts of the western United States, rely on snow melt for up to 75% of their annual water supply.

There are other reasons to be concerned about excessive runoff from your property. Excessive runoff leads to stream erosion and increases sediment levels. This can have a negative effect on fish populations and ecosystems downstream.

If you think water issues won’t happen in your neighborhood soon, think again. According to an Associated Press report quoting a government survey of state water managers, "At least 36 states will face water shortages within five years.”.   In June of 2007 USA Today reported that “Drought now covers more than one-third of the continental USA. And it's spreading…it was the driest spring in the Southeast since record-keeping began in 1895, according to the National Climatic Data Center”.  

Fortunately you can begin to protect yourself from high prices and shortages while doing your part to alleviate negative impacts.

Water conservation products and techniques are numerous for applications inside and outside of your home.  If you've tried low flow showers and fixtures in the past with disappointing results, we suggest you give them another look.  These fixtures have come a long way.  Most inject a stream of air into the water stream to increase the feeling of water volume.  Also available indoors are dual flush and low flow toilets, as well as composting and dry urinals for the truly committed.  Don’t forget about your dishwashers and laundry equipment.  Energy Star models are certified to use less water in addition to less energy.

Outside of your home look for drip and micro irrigation products.  Even better, ask your landscape designer or retailer about local, non-invasive plants that are drought tolerant.  These species require little or no watering, saving you time in addition to water and money. 

You can also manage how much water leaves your property. Vegetated swales and water gardens not only allow more water to infiltrate into the ground, but also are an attractive addition to your landscape. Consider semi-pervious paving products as an alternative to patios and driveways. These products have open cells to allow water to infiltrate while still providing a stable surface for walking or driving. Like water gardens and vegetated swales they not only help solve the issues but they are much more attractive than paved surfaces.

Did you know that more water runs off an average home in an average year than is used within the home?  Water barrels are a great idea to capture roof run-off water for gardening, car washing or pool filling.   Modern water barrels attach to your downspout, and include filters to keep out leaves and twigs, and keep mosquitoes from nesting in the barrel. They also include outlets to attach a hose, and overflow outlets for when the barrels become full. Some new homes are being built with underground cisterns to capture roof runoff water and redirect it into the home for use in toilets, laundry and other non-potable needs.  In Australia where droughts have been more commonplace and are getting worse, these cisterns are code mandated in some areas.

If you've never seen a green roof, keep on the lookout for tours in your area.  These are roof top gardens of low maintenance, slow growth plants such as sedum.  These roofs allow evaporation of water back into the water cycle and provide the additional benefit of an additional layer of roof insulation.  Green roofs also last longer than traditional roofs, create additional habitats for birds, and reduce heat island effects. Heat island effect is the phenomenon whereby developed land, primarily buildings and paved surfaces, generates a localized climate warmer than their natural surroundings.   

If you’re interested in learning more about water issues and water saving approaches please contact Green Savers at info@yourgreensavers.com.  We can customize educational programs for you, and our Green Living Audits include metrics and advice on water conservation around your home.