Friday, July 29, 2011

Got Water?

Like many parts of the US, Tucson, Arizona has been faced with water shortages and concerns about adequate water supply for over 25 years.  The city has implemented a number of water conservation strategies aimed at addressing the challenge.  Water in short supply is a way of life in Tucson, so in October of 2008, it was no real surprise when the city council took a more aggressive stance and enacted the first  “Commercial Rainwater Harvesting Ordinance,” in the nation.  The ordinance requires commercial facilities to provide 50% of their landscape watering needs by a rainwater harvesting system.   
Tucson also limited the restriction on water use to residents and business by codifying a number of other water conserving strategies into law, including ordinances for emergency water conservation, residential gray water, water waste, xeriscaping and  enhanced plumbing codes.

Tucson is but one city that has had to make radical decisions, ordinances and laws concerning water conservation.   This growing awareness has becoming more common as the understanding that demand for water is outpacing supply.    Water conservation and awareness is definitely an important first step in the journey towards more efficient use of water, but we must take our knowledge a step further if we are going to make a measurable difference.    
Mike Reed is a landscaping and rainwater harvesting specialists with Whiz-Q Stone in Ft. Worth.  He represents a number of rainwater harvesting systems that range in size and cost and are appropriate for the homeowner, large commercial client, or municipality.  Designs include rain barrels, plastic tanks, matrix systems (adaptable water catchment building blocks), metal tanks and what he calls “show-off tanks. The concept is the same in all of these systems, they are meant to capture rainwater from areas such as rooftops or other hardscapes and hold that water for landscaping, agriculture or other non potable uses when needed.  



The design applications are vast and vary from home use, to large underground tanks with pervious brick pavers for commercial buildings.  There is even a matrix system that can be installed under a city street and will withstand the weight of a cement road and automobile traffic.  The applications are incredibly flexible. 
Water supply and conservation is something we must all be aware of and strive to make changes where possible.  Tucson is an example where people no longer have the luxury of choice on many decisions concerning water supply and use.  Perhaps it is time that we all do what we can to change our behavior.  We can start with simple changes like taking  shorter showers, planting drought tolerant plants, washing our clothes in cold water and only when the machine is full, turning off the water when brushing, installing low flow toilets and fixtures, and perhaps implement a rainwater harvesting system when possible.  There is a limited supply of fresh water in this world--a limited supply.  When you take time to really think about what that means, there is no choice, but to conserve.  Think about it.

Tucson Arizona Water Conservation Ordinances: http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/water/ordinances
Materials calculator: http://www.whiz-q.com/calculator.htm
Whiz -Q Stone: http://www.whiz-q.com
75  Ways to Conserve Water: http://www.h2oconserve.org/?page_id=3



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