Rural Water - Quarter 1, 2009 - (Page 10)

Q &A uestion nswer: Conservation in the Home BY MARK KEMP-RYE Q: WHY CONSERVE WATER? A. Over the last several years, interest in water conservation has increased, particularly in the western U.S. where drought conditions persist. Many communities now have policies about water usage and some charge more based on increasing consumption. Albuquerque, New Mexico, even went as far as making water waste illegal. There are many reasons for conserving water. Here are three of the most compelling: 1. It’s the right thing to do. Everyone needs water to survive. Simply put, we have an obligation to share this vital resource and not waste it. 2. We have more people, but not more water. The amount of water on Earth remains the same while population soars. We can take steps now or we can be forced into them down the road. 3. It will save money. The less water you use, the less you have to pay, and the more money you’ll have for other things. Not only will you save money, you’ll help your community save money too. “If conservation is practiced widely by homeowners within a community, you have sustained reductions in demand at the water treatment facility and lowered ﬂows at the wastewater treatment facility,” 10 • First Quarter 2009 says John Flowers, water efﬁciency program director with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “Then, not only are the consumers reducing their costs, but the town may be able to defer the investment of a new plant.” Q: HOW MUCH WATER DO HOMEOWNERS USE? A. While industry and agriculture use larger percentages of available water, households are still big users and the amount used has increased over time. A century ago, Americans used approximately 10 gallons of water to drink, cook, clean and bathe. Today, an average American uses more than 100 gallons of water and the average household more than 260 gallons. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a typical family in the U.S. spends approximately $475 each year on water and sewage charges. Q: WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST WATER USERS IN A HOME? A. In most homes, toilets, washing machines and dishwashers use the most water. Newer models, such as low-ﬂow toilets and efﬁcient washers and dishwashers, save water and money. A 1.6-gallon-per-ﬂush toilet, for example, can save thousands of gallons each year and energy Water

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Rural Water - Quarter 1, 2009

Rural Water - Quarter 1, 2009 Contents From the President Question & Answer: Water Conservation in the Home Avoiding the Humpty Dumpty Approach to Data Backup From the CEO What the Future Holds Asset Management for Small Communities Understanding Your Surface Water Source: The Rivers Hydraulic Models Expeditionary Water Packaging System Graces Delta The Rural Water Rally in April Training in Hawaii Regulatory Update Rural Water Releases Report on Water Infrastructure Projects and Economic Stimulus Legislation Throwing My Loop Advertisers.com Index to Advertisers

Rural Water - Quarter 1, 2009

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