On October 22, 2008,
Washington-based
American Rivers released its report on the Southeast’s water crisis. Entitled “Hidden Reservoir: Why Water
Efficiency Is the Best Solution for the Southeast.” The report essentially states that
improvements in water efficiency—demand reduction, pipe and pump rehabilitation,
low-flow fixtures, and smart irrigation—will result in a bigger return on
investment than large-scale infrastructure projects.
Overall, there are nine
essential water conservation tactics outlined in the report:
*Stop
leaks from aging and broken water pipes.
*Raise
the price of water.
*Meter
all water users.
*Retrofit
buildings with water-efficient toilets, faucets, and
appliances.
*Install
drought-resistant landscapes, require meters for sprinkler systems, and charge
more for irrigation water.
*Educate
the public about ways to save water.
*Design
new buildings that can capture rainwater to water landscaping, and recycle
shower and sink water in the toilet.
*Determine
how much water can be safely withdrawn from rivers and lakes, and don’t take
more.
*Involve
water users in water-policy decisions.
(nine
steps summary courtesy of ajc.com)
In fact, American
Rivers’ report calls the plan to build dams throughout the southeast—like
the controversial Flint River project south of Atlanta—expensive
as well as destructive. Ultimately,
it’s the hit to the region’s pocketbook that might be the most persuasive. According to statistics provided by
Hordan, Jones & Goulding, water conservation efforts would cost no more than
$250 for every 1,000 gallons of water saved. The dam? That price tag would be significantly
higher: an eye-popping $4,000 for every 1,000 gallons of water saved.
Dams
are a popular “go-to” solution when the going gets tough, and a community finds
itself at the losing end of a dried-up water source. In Georgia, for example, the
Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning district has its heart set on four new
dams in four different counties.
Then again, with credit markets drying up as fast as a Georgia river bed
(sorry – I couldn’t help myself!), the great “dam plan” might be stuck in a
holding pattern, at least for the time being.
And
that may provide a much needed cooling-off period. The “nine steps towards reducing water
consumption and protecting water resources” delineated in the American Rivers’
report shouldn’t be taken as suggestions, but, instead, treated as mandates—not
just for the Southeast, but for the entire country. Now is not the time for extravagance of
thought or action. We’re going to
have to tighten our belts and protect all of our dwindling resources because—as
we are all now painfully learning—treating your assets (be they money, fuel, or
water) with wild abandon does not build a foundation for a better future, but
actually erodes any progress made and puts us all in jeopardy. So what do you say, are you ready to
make the “nine steps” your mantra?