Conserving Water:
Conserving water is fast becoming a hot topic across the nation. Water is one of our most precious natural resources. Although the Earth’s surface is 70% water, only 2.5% is fresh water. The amount of fresh water available for human use and consumption, however, is less than 1% of the fresh water.
Drought and the potential impacts of climate change only adds to the uncertainty surrounding water availability.
There are many ways to conserve water around the home including fixing dripping taps, not allowing the water to run while brushing teeth, and using low-flow toilets and fixtures. Another approach, with the potential for significantly more water savings, is outdoor water conservation.
In some parts of the US, outdoor irrigation of lawns and landscapes accounts for as much as 75% of annual per capita water use.
Planning and designing lawns and landscapes with lower water requirements and improving the efficiency of outdoor irrigation can help to conserve water while maintaining the beauty of our outdoor environment.
Additional Resources:
Northwest
University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Strategic Vision
Midwest
Minnesota – Water-saving strategies for home lawns
Southeast
Florida Friendly Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Resources by the Green Industries
Feature photo credit: Photo by jeffjones / CC BY http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/