Rethinking Water
By Julie A. Baylor, CHA
World Water Day is Tuesday, March 22nd. Before we pass this off as just another designated day to draw attention to yet another environmental cause, let’s consider a few facts about water.
1. Water use consumes significant amounts of energy.
In California, it is estimated that energy used for water distribution accounts for at least 6.5% of total electricity use in the state. (http://www.energy.ca.gov/research/iaw/industry/water.html)
2. Saving water saves money.
We all know our own costs for potable water and sewage, but think about the money invested in infrastructure to move, delivery, treat and discharge water. Letting the water run down the drain is equal to wasting the money invested in providing the water in the first place.
3. Water is getting scarce.
While the overall amount of water on the Earth’s surface has remained the same for 2 billion years, the population and varied uses of water have increased dramatically. One-quarter of the world’s population is without safe drinking water. (The Science of Water)
Given these facts, let’s reconsider how we use water and apply the “3 R’s” of waste reduction to water use: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
· Reducing water use can be achieved through low-flow plumbing fixtures, drought resistant landscaping, and composting food scraps rather than disposing of them down drains. Also, inspecting plumbing fixtures regularly can help you catch leaks that result in water waste.
· Reusing water can be accomplished through grey-water systems and rain barrels for irrigation.
· Recycling water is done by water treatment plants, and can actually be treated to potable standards, retaining water that is already in our local water system.
Learn more by watching The Real Story of Water, an animated video that will surprise and enlighten you to the realities of water usage.
In honor of World Water Day, let’s all think twice about the value of water in light of its importance to human wellbeing.
Julie Baylor, CHA, LEED GA