Water Conservation
Residents have not always concerned themselves with water conservation, especially where supplies were plentiful in the past. With current threats to our delicate supplies such as pollution, droughts, water rights, and diminished aquifers, we are forced to reconsider our water use and misuse. The following information is dedicated to helping communities and individuals develop water-saving strategies, and educate the public about water use.
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- Water Conservation: In the Home - Question and Answer On Tap magazine, Summer 2007 -This Q and A discusses many ways that homeowners can conserve water.
- Control Water Loss On Tap magazine, Fall 2006 -There may have been a time when having a substantial amount of lost or unaccounted-for water was acceptable to water utilities. Finding and plugging leaks might not have seemed cost effective for a typical water system: the perceived cost of detection and repair outweighed the perceived benefits of saving water.
- Conservation: What can water utilities do? On Tap magazine, Fall 2005 -In the central and eastern parts of the country, water often is taken for granted, but increasing infrastructure costs stemming from groundwater depletion and water quality issues make water conservation an attractive alternative for everyone.
- Why Water Conservation is Important On Tap magazine, Fall 2005 -In the face of ballooning water demands, some eyes are quick to gaze at the seemingly limitless supplies available from oceans and treated wastewater flows. Such sources are indeed abundant, but their tapping fees amount to worrisome costs that few have yet to tally.
- Conservation
101 On Tap magazine, Spring 2003 -Many western and some eastern
regions are still experiencing drought or its residual impacts, such as
reduced water supplies and lower water quality. Whether your water system
is in drought, drought recovery, or simply needs to clamp down on water
waste, here are a few conservation steps adapted from the book, Handbook
of Water Use and Conservation by Amy Vickers,
Water Resources and Consultant and Author. - Recycling RSF Effluent to Conserve Small Flows newsletter, Summer 2002 -Miracle Mountain Wilderness Park in McDowell County, West Virginia, faced two major problems, a water shortage and a lack of wastewater treatment.
- Conservation: It's the Future of Water On Tap newsletter, Winter 1998 -Water shortages here in the U.S. and other parts of the world signal the need to change attitudes about water as an infinite resource. At least 300 million people live in regions of severe water shortages and by the year 2025, it will be three billion.
- Water Conservation Measures On Tap Tech Brief Fact Sheet, Winter 1998 -Traditional water supply management seeks to provide all the water the public wants, which, in some sections of the country, translates to a constant search for untapped sources.
- Water Efficiency ETI Fact Sheet, NSFC 1998 -Although most of the earth is covered with water, only 1% of that water is actually potable. In spite of its importance, potable water is often taken for granted. For many people, fresh water is as close as their faucets. This accessibility can give the illusion that the supply of potable water is unlimited. This fact sheet provides information for water suppliers.
Outside Resources
EPA's
WaterSense (Web)- Saving water is easy. Many products are already
available for use, and it doesn't require changing the way most of us
live or do business. This site, great for consumers and water suppliers
alike, is provided by our funding sponsor, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).- Water Loss Control: Conservation by Water Suppliers (Web), American Water Works Association - Water utilities need to conserve water in their day-to-day operations. Utilities without proper controls can waste or lose track of huge amounts of water.
- WaterWiser Drip Calculator (Web), American Water Works Association - Measure and Estimate Water Wasted Due to Leaks
- H2ouse: Water Saver Home (Web), California Urban Water Conservation Council - Take the tour to investigate your water saving opportunities in each area of your home.
- Conservation Tips (Web), American Water Works Association - Ways to conserve at home.
- Stop the Dripping! (Web), National Geographic Society -A leaky faucet can lose up to 20 gallons of water a day, while a leaky toilet can flush an extra 200 gallons every day! Not sure how to fix it? This site will tell you.
- What's a waterless car wash? (Web), National Geographic Society -Full-service car washes use 37 gallons a wash, while washing at home consumes even more. Looking for a way to conserve? Try this.
Water Conservation for Suppliers
Water Conservation for Consumers