Sustainability: business, life, environment

With oil, natural gas, and energy receiving most of the popular press, the often forgotten resource that presents the greatest challenge to local communities is the availability of fresh water.  Unlike energy constraints, water cannot be economically brought in from neighboring areas in tankers, on trucks, or even in transmission pipelines.  With all the advances in technology, communities still rely on the access and availability of a local water  supply. 
 
Because water supply and demand are so tightly linked at a local level, communities are becoming increasingly aware of their water supply and actively managing demand.  The post, The Water/Energy Link, addresses how water and energy are intrinsically related; energy is needed to transport and deliver water while generating power requires massive quantities of water. There are opportunities to conserve both resources simultaneously.  In fact, the U.S. EPA has quantified the water/ energy savings opportunity: equating 1 gallon of water to approximately 4 watt hours of power.
 
What eco actions can we take to preserve water?  Our eco friendly training classes addresses the question with some eco actions to take.  Why?  Because habits with eco awareness lead to sustainable living and a healthier environment.
 

• Going native:  According to the US Green Building Council, using native and adaptive plants can reduce landscaping watering costs by 50% to 100% depending on the region. Native and adaptive plants also require less fertilizers and pesticides, further reducing their maintenance costs.  Not sure what plants are native to your area? Plant Native provides lists of native plants by region. 
• Capturing Rainwater:  Rainwater collection systems collect water runoff from roofs or paved surfaces. This water is then filtered and stored for irrigation.  Harvest rainwater, not only conserves water, but also greatly reduces storm water runoff.  Filtered rainwater can also be used to flush toilets and urinals

 
Water Wise Personal Habits: the sustainability concept of water reduction can be applied to your daily personal habits.  Within our professional consulting practice, we often remind others that every little action adds up.  Which of these eco actions can you start taking today?

• Wash Hands Efficiently: Turn off the water while you soap your hands, and rinse briefly.
• Brush Teeth Wisely: Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save 4 gallons a minute. That’s 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
• Use Less Water for Dishes: Scrape your dishes clean to reduce rinsing. Run the dishwasher only when it’s full.
• Take Hall Full Baths:  Try bathing in a tub that’s only half full to save water and the energy used to heat it.
• Shorten Your Showers:  Shorter showers save both energy and water—keeping your shower under 5 minutes can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
• Stop Leaks:  turn off water faucets tightly so they don’t drip and repair leaks.
• Wash Clothes Wisely: Make sure your clothes are truly dirty before putting them into the hamper. Wash clothes only when you have a full load, and use cold water whenever possible.

Providing abundant clean water requires efforts from all angles, and individual water cycle management is a big part. The ability to effectively manage our water resources is essential for personal and global sustainability.