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Water Baby
Water Baby
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While you can go days or even weeks without food
and do just fine, if you are without water for even a
few hours in hot and strenuous conditions you will
die. So, why is it that we often forget this most
precious natural resource? I think that the in our
modern society we have forgotten just how special
and rare clean water really is. In modern America
all you have to do is walk over to the nearest faucet
and out comes cool clear water. (I’ll leave the fact
that the faucet water has been poisoned with
chlorine, fluoride and other carcinogens for
another discussion) Because it is so very simple
to have this resource at our finger tips, we have
started to devalue it as a resource and forget just
how essential that it really is.
and do just fine, if you are without water for even a
few hours in hot and strenuous conditions you will
die. So, why is it that we often forget this most
precious natural resource? I think that the in our
modern society we have forgotten just how special
and rare clean water really is. In modern America
all you have to do is walk over to the nearest faucet
and out comes cool clear water. (I’ll leave the fact
that the faucet water has been poisoned with
chlorine, fluoride and other carcinogens for
another discussion) Because it is so very simple
to have this resource at our finger tips, we have
started to devalue it as a resource and forget just
how essential that it really is.
It is common place to see automatic sprinkler
systems going full blast during a rain storm, to
see people lined up on a sunny day to wash their
cars, to see in the middle of the desert lush fields
of grass with grown men chasing little white balls
and to see exotic tropical (thirsty) plants gracing
the front of the finest homes. All of these wastes
of water and many more seem normal and
systems going full blast during a rain storm, to
see people lined up on a sunny day to wash their
cars, to see in the middle of the desert lush fields
of grass with grown men chasing little white balls
and to see exotic tropical (thirsty) plants gracing
the front of the finest homes. All of these wastes
of water and many more seem normal and
acceptable in our modern culture. But that is not the case everywhere in the world. There are still
places where people still realize how precious water really is. There are villages in South America
where water is collected drip by drip from leaking water pipes that bypass the village to take the water
to urban centers for industrial use. This goes on at the same time that here in North America we feel
that it is no problem to use 90% (43,000,000,000 gallons of water per day, that’s right 43 billion
gallons) of our urban water resources to irrigate our lawns and to keep exotic plants in bloom. It is
obvious that this waste of water can not continue. In fact, some of the more progressive cities and
water supply agencies have passed laws to limit landscape watering or made incentives for native
plant landscapes that require less water. Of course all of this helps, but the problem we face
concerning water will continue until the public realizes how important water really is.
places where people still realize how precious water really is. There are villages in South America
where water is collected drip by drip from leaking water pipes that bypass the village to take the water
to urban centers for industrial use. This goes on at the same time that here in North America we feel
that it is no problem to use 90% (43,000,000,000 gallons of water per day, that’s right 43 billion
gallons) of our urban water resources to irrigate our lawns and to keep exotic plants in bloom. It is
obvious that this waste of water can not continue. In fact, some of the more progressive cities and
water supply agencies have passed laws to limit landscape watering or made incentives for native
plant landscapes that require less water. Of course all of this helps, but the problem we face
concerning water will continue until the public realizes how important water really is.
Water has for millennia been considered to
be sacred by cultures across the globe,
from blessings with holy water and
baptisms, to ritual purification in the
Ganges and the midnight water in the
teepee of the Native American Church.
People once understood the fact; that
without clean water there can be no life.
So all of this begs the question, what can
we do to preserve this most valuable
natural resource?
First and foremost a responsible person
should know exactly where their water
be sacred by cultures across the globe,
from blessings with holy water and
baptisms, to ritual purification in the
Ganges and the midnight water in the
teepee of the Native American Church.
People once understood the fact; that
without clean water there can be no life.
So all of this begs the question, what can
we do to preserve this most valuable
natural resource?
First and foremost a responsible person
should know exactly where their water
comes from. Mine for example comes from the South Llano River. Once a person has at least that
small connection with their water, they can begin to see its value. And when something has value, it is
only reasonable to protect it.
Sometimes protecting water is as simple as monitoring its quality and then acting quickly if there is a
problem. In Texas we have an agency that is responsible for many of the water issues that we face.
The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) works hard to safe guard our most valuable resource.
They do lots of educational outreach and environmental enforcement, but one of the better programs
they have going is a citizen water quality monitoring program called CRWN. This is a program that I am
very proud to be a part of and think that it is an honor to spend an hour a month to help insure that we
have clean water to drink in the future. (Here is a link to the monitoring stations, mine is Llano River
Above Johnson Creek) It is a simple task to
small connection with their water, they can begin to see its value. And when something has value, it is
only reasonable to protect it.
Sometimes protecting water is as simple as monitoring its quality and then acting quickly if there is a
problem. In Texas we have an agency that is responsible for many of the water issues that we face.
The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) works hard to safe guard our most valuable resource.
They do lots of educational outreach and environmental enforcement, but one of the better programs
they have going is a citizen water quality monitoring program called CRWN. This is a program that I am
very proud to be a part of and think that it is an honor to spend an hour a month to help insure that we
have clean water to drink in the future. (Here is a link to the monitoring stations, mine is Llano River
Above Johnson Creek) It is a simple task to
check a few key indicators of water quality
such as Ph, Temp, Conductivity, Clarity,
Dissolved Oxygen and Bacteria Levels once
a month and the long term rewards are
beyond measure.
After a person starts to learn a little about
their water supply, the next logical step is to
start and figure out ways to use less of the
water in general. The best place to start is
where most of the domestic water is used.
On the landscape. By using native and well
adapted plants a home owner can easily
cut their water use in half. Simple steps
such as replacing exotic lawn grasses,
such as Ph, Temp, Conductivity, Clarity,
Dissolved Oxygen and Bacteria Levels once
a month and the long term rewards are
beyond measure.
After a person starts to learn a little about
their water supply, the next logical step is to
start and figure out ways to use less of the
water in general. The best place to start is
where most of the domestic water is used.
On the landscape. By using native and well
adapted plants a home owner can easily
cut their water use in half. Simple steps
such as replacing exotic lawn grasses,
such as bermuda grass and st. Augustine grass, with native species like Buffalo Grass and Blue
Grama Grass, can eliminate most of the water used in the landscape. The next step would be to plant
drought tolerant perennials in the flower beds that are native or suited to your climate and to plant trees
and shrubs that are also supposed to be growing in the area. Local Native Plant Societies, urban
extension service agencies and local nurseries can help to find native plants that are perfect for each
area and need. In addition to water savings, these native plants also require little or no fertilizer (a
major source of water pollution from run off) and require much less maintenance; so that you can
spend more time enjoying the garden, instead of slaving away to keep it looking nice. As I said before,
90% of the water you use goes to the landscape, if water consumption there is reduced to a minimum
the battle is mostly won.
For apartment dwellers and those who are not able to reduce their water requirements outside, here
are some tips to reduce water usage inside the home.
Grama Grass, can eliminate most of the water used in the landscape. The next step would be to plant
drought tolerant perennials in the flower beds that are native or suited to your climate and to plant trees
and shrubs that are also supposed to be growing in the area. Local Native Plant Societies, urban
extension service agencies and local nurseries can help to find native plants that are perfect for each
area and need. In addition to water savings, these native plants also require little or no fertilizer (a
major source of water pollution from run off) and require much less maintenance; so that you can
spend more time enjoying the garden, instead of slaving away to keep it looking nice. As I said before,
90% of the water you use goes to the landscape, if water consumption there is reduced to a minimum
the battle is mostly won.
For apartment dwellers and those who are not able to reduce their water requirements outside, here
are some tips to reduce water usage inside the home.
Bathroom
Bathroom use accounts for about 75 percent of the water used inside the home.
• Take short showers and save the baths for special occasions. (Doing this can help your
family save about half of the water it uses.)
• Check regularly for any leaks in your toilet, faucets and water hose bibs and fix them.
• Install a low-flow showerhead.
• Replace older, larger-use toilets with the newer ultra-low flush models. (Models after 1992
use a little less than one-half the water of older versions.)
Kitchen
About 8 percent of in-home water use takes place in the kitchen.
• Wash only full loads in the dishwasher. An efficient dishwasher usually uses much less
water than washing dishes by hand.
• Install a low-flow faucet aerator, which can cut water use in half.
• When buying a new dishwasher, consider purchasing a water-saving model. (New models
use up to 25 percent less water than older ones.)
Around the house
• Wash only full loads in the clothes washer. Washing small loads uses over twice as much
water per pound of laundry.
• Insulate hot water pipes where possible to avoid long delays (and wasted water) while
waiting for the water to "run hot." When building a new home, keep the distance short
between the hot water heater and showers and other places that hot water is used.
• When buying a new clothes washer, consider purchasing a water-saving model. Newer
models can save up to 40 percent of the water used by a conventional model.
Source LCRA website
Bathroom use accounts for about 75 percent of the water used inside the home.
• Take short showers and save the baths for special occasions. (Doing this can help your
family save about half of the water it uses.)
• Check regularly for any leaks in your toilet, faucets and water hose bibs and fix them.
• Install a low-flow showerhead.
• Replace older, larger-use toilets with the newer ultra-low flush models. (Models after 1992
use a little less than one-half the water of older versions.)
Kitchen
About 8 percent of in-home water use takes place in the kitchen.
• Wash only full loads in the dishwasher. An efficient dishwasher usually uses much less
water than washing dishes by hand.
• Install a low-flow faucet aerator, which can cut water use in half.
• When buying a new dishwasher, consider purchasing a water-saving model. (New models
use up to 25 percent less water than older ones.)
Around the house
• Wash only full loads in the clothes washer. Washing small loads uses over twice as much
water per pound of laundry.
• Insulate hot water pipes where possible to avoid long delays (and wasted water) while
waiting for the water to "run hot." When building a new home, keep the distance short
between the hot water heater and showers and other places that hot water is used.
• When buying a new clothes washer, consider purchasing a water-saving model. Newer
models can save up to 40 percent of the water used by a conventional model.
Source LCRA website
I think that there is a real hope in the future that people will realize just how rare and precious our water
resources really are and that we can turn away from our wasteful activities. It is something that is holy
for some and a necessity for everyone. So lets all try and do our own little part to protect this vital
resource, our clean water.
