It’s an age-old argument: How much should we be held
accountable for as individuals, and at what point should the government step in
to help? When it comes to water conservation and efficiency, the question
becomes even more complex: Can public outreach and a call to action be enough to
inspire change, or will real results happen only after rules and regulations are
enacted and enforced?
We’ve highlighted several successful public outreach programs
in the magazine. Communities like Denver, Co and Seattle, Wa are just two
examples—both cities have made great strides in encouraging involvement and
stirring enthusiasm for water conservation and efficiency amongst its citizens.
In Seattle, the Saving Water Partnership program—which is sponsored by a group of local utilities that
fund water conservation programs in Seattle and King County, and includes
workshops and a Web site—promotes the 1% Water
Conservation Initiative, a plan to reduce personal and business water
consumption 1% every year for 10 years. (For more information, go to
[web]www.savingwater.org[web].) In the meantime, Denver’s citywide billboard
program, with slogans like “Be Responsible” and “Use Only What You Need,” serve
as a constant reminder to residents to stay aware and vigilant about their water
usage. (For more information on Denver’s program, go to http://useonlywhatyouneed.org).
These programs work,
but are they enough?
At one point, will we
have to take a serious look at local, state, and federal conservation, and
efficiency statutes and regulations? Some cities and states have already begun
to make and enforce water conservation laws. In Georgia for example, the
Georgia EPD regulates the withdrawal and use of Georgia’s ground
and surface water resources and has the authority to prohibit residential
outdoor water use. And in Texas, several water conservation house bills have
been enacted, including rules imposing
new conservation prerequisites and easing the way for greater use of “graywater”
for landscape purposes. In fact, in most drought-stricken areas you can find
some type of rule or law that dictates at least some facet of water usage and
conservation.
Local
control appears to be somewhat effective, but can we leave it up to the Cities
and States, or is it time for the Federal Government to step
in?