Rain barrels conserve water and limit runoff.
All communities and regions need to have water conservation methods in place. Even areas in the United States such as Florida, which averages about 53 inches of precipitation per year, experience droughts that cause water supply shortages. Some governments west of the 100th meridian in the U.S., where precipitation is often limited, have groundwater management districts. Agencies make water conservation laws as well as long and short term conservation plans. Governments also pass legislation that covers aspects of water conservation.
Ensure Efficient Use of Municipal Water
Leaky municipal water lines result in loss of precious water and increase the risk of contamination. Requiring utilities to inspect potable and wastewater pipes for leaks is one way governments can conserve water. Many water lines in the United States are 50 to 100 years old and expensive to replace. This means that detecting potential breaks before they happen, conducting preventive maintenance and prioritizing the worst lines for first replacement are necessary steps.
Set Good Examples
Government and community properties set water conservation examples and conserve water by making their buildings and landscapes conservation-friendly. According to a Texas A&M website, 25 percent of urban water supplies in Texas go toward landscape and garden watering. Xeriscaping--or drought tolerant landscaping--uses planning and design principles to limit or eliminate the need for watering. Community members recognize these efforts when they notice the use of native plants and mulches and the lack of sprinklers in the landscapes. Demonstrating capture water from a roof using rain barrels sets a good example. Using green roofs shows how plants are naturally watered while limiting stress on storm water pipes that are often combined with the sewer system.
Inside government buildings, the use of technologies such as sinks that automatically turn on and off for short periods when placing your hand under them serves as a reminder of water conservation.
Provide Incentives
Community organizations and governments provide incentives for purchasing water efficient technologies such as Energy Star clothes and dishwashers. Energy Star washers use over 50 percent less water than their counterparts, according to the Energy Star website. Governments also use creative incentives such as charging more per gallon of water after using more than a specified volume during a billing period.
Water Restriction Laws
Governments can mandate that water not be used for certain purposes or allow for certain water uses on a limited number of days. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power implemented Phase III of their Emergency Water Conservation Plan effective June 1, 2009, and as of August 2010 it is still in place. According to their website this ordinance makes it illegal to do things including washing outdoor hard surfaces, such as parking lots, unless needed for public safety, serving water to restaurant customers without them asking for it and watering outdoors for longer than 15 minutes.
Tags: water conservation, Energy Star, conserve water, Governments also, technologies such