Saving money, saving energy, saving water – these are all good reasons to learn more about water conservation. And, as Ben Franklin said: “When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water.” Despite drought-like conditions during several past summers in different parts of the country, the eastern U.S. typically has enough rainfall that we do not make water conservation headlines. However, a different kind of “drought” is occurring under our feet. I’m talking about our groundwater. In many areas, especially urban areas, we use groundwater faster than we can replenish it.
Groundwater is water in the subsurface soil pores and rock crevices. Groundwater is the water source and supply for wells. What is happening now is the amount of groundwater recharging many of our country’s urban area aquifers is significantly less than the amount we are extracting. Groundwater is the primary source of drinking water in many cities, which is a vital issue even if your area isn’t in an official drought.
Water conservation requires changing habits and expectations from businesses and residents for commercial, household, and outdoor water usage. Now is the time for everyone to do their part, especially with summer coming, a time of year that strains our aquifers as many people water gardens and lawns.
Because we use water in so many places, the list of ways to conserve is virtually endless and is not hard to do. They include everything from changing how you water your lawn and garden to what appliances you buy.
Mow Higher, Less Frequently
For an established lawn, refrain from watering during the summer – just let it go browner like it wants to when it is dry. It will green up when the rains return. An exception to this occurs during some summers when extended dry periods combined with unusually high temperatures cause the grass to die. However, your lawn will be fine since most summer weather conditions are milder. WaterSense has many more tips that save water and money on your outdoor water bill.
You can use collected rainwater for lawn and garden watering between rain events. Consider installing a rain barrel to collect rainwater (be sure to place a screen over the top or use the water fast to prevent mosquitos from breeding). Of course, you can also mulch your flower and vegetable gardens to reduce evaporation from the soil and water your garden only when needed. Thick enough mulch also cuts down on the number of weeds.
Look for Water Conservation Rebates
You can also use water-saving products in your home or business, such as low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and low-flush toilets. Some municipalities even have toilet rebate programs to promote changing out older toilets. When purchasing a dishwasher or washing machine, consider energy- and water-efficient ones, such as EnergyStar and WaterSense-certified appliances. Whether or not you purchase energy and water-efficient appliances, you can always fill dishwashers and washing machines to their capacity before running them, which reduces the amount of water used by needing to operate them less.
Thirsting for More?
Other water-saving tips include easy changes in hygiene habits. If, for example, you choose to take 5-minute showers instead of 10-minute showers, the typical person can save over 10,000 gallons of water per year. Consider taking a “military shower” by turning the water off for lathering and on again during rinsing. Also, try turning the faucet off when scrubbing your hands or brushing your teeth, and turn the water on again for rinsing.
If you decide to implement these suggestions, you will do your part to conserve our water now and for future generations. Every little bit makes a difference!
Helpful Resources:
Did you know about 10 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are attributable to water and wastewater use, storage, distribution, and treatment? In today’s world, sustainability and efficient resource management are more critical than ever. Stakeholders and regulators require an understanding of a company’s water reduction goals and greenhouse gas emissions. Industrial users feel this pressure and may see enormous water bills due to inadequate water accounting and water losses between processes.
One powerful tool that can help companies achieve their water reduction goals, understand their water use, and lower their water bills is through submetering activities. Many facilities traditionally utilize a single meter, usually monitored by the utility provider for potable or process water, and can only see utilization after the monthly bill is received. These facilities are looking in the “rearview mirror” at their usage. Submetering involves measuring the flow or consumption of water (or other utilities) at locations within a facility, providing detailed insights into usage patterns as they occur, and identifying opportunities for conservation. Submetering can provide several benefits, including:
Real-time Monitoring: Connecting a submeter to an RMC/SCADA (remote monitoring and control/supervisory control and data acquisition) system enables real-time monitoring of water utilization. Clients can promptly set usage limits, be notified of excessive use, and implement corrective actions immediately remote from the facility.
Non-intrusive Solutions: One of the most attractive features is that RMC utilizes wireless and cellular communications and clamp-on metering types that are non-intrusive to process operations and utilize secured communication. With this in mind, a customer’s lean operations and maintenance teams can focus on production.
Cost Savings: By closely monitoring water usage, companies can identify and address leaks, inefficiencies, or wasteful practices. Correcting these can save significant costs by reducing water waste and minimizing operational expenses.
Sustainability: Submetering supports sustainable practices by helping industries reduce their environmental footprint. By optimizing water usage, companies contribute to water conservation efforts and demonstrate a commitment to environmental responsibility. Less water typically means lower greenhouse gas emissions from energy usage required to heat, treat, or move more water.
Customized Reporting: RMC submetering programs have reporting features that allow users to view customized dashboards and reports on water usage trends, efficiency improvements, and cost savings. These reports can be valuable for internal analysis and reporting to stakeholders.
Water Reduction, Stewardship, and Balancing
At a manufacturing facility, we audited and modeled the water balance for our client’s water stewardship plan under development, including identifying potential water savings in the evaluation. We temporarily used clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters for several days to measure flow rates in key locations. Our findings indicated significant losses at several vital locations that consumed large quantities of water. These locations did not have meters, which also created a data gap. This knowledge helped our client implement an appropriate solution, save operating costs, and identify that the existing wastewater system could not accommodate a proposed facility expansion.
Reputable Full-Service Environmental Specialists
If a facility is in a similar situation or is interested in evaluating water, energy, usage, or lowing GHG, an environmental engineer can design, furnish, and install customized submetering solutions tailored to each specific need. Utilizing state-of-the-art remote monitoring and control systems allows businesses to monitor live usage from any device, including cell phones, tablets, and PCs, and look for trends indicating certain processes or locations requiring attention. A reputable full-service firm will conduct an initial site evaluation and provide system implementation and ongoing support. They will have a track record of successful submetering projects that have helped clients save time, reduce costs, and improve their understanding of water usage.
Remember that by leveraging the power of submetering, you can achieve your water reduction goals, enhance sustainability, and optimize operations!
Related Resources for Business Conservation Efforts
SCS Engineers’ Associate Professional, Lindsey Carlson recently coordinated a cleanup on the Beaver Dam River in Wisconsin. The cleanup is a part of the mission of Living Lands and Waters to clean the nation’s major rivers and watersheds. The Adopt A River Mile program enables people to support the mission in their own communities. SCS Engineers joined other members of the SWANA Badger Chapter, the Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin, and five members of the Beaver Dam community. SCS’s Adam Gorski and Phil Gearing are shown removing a tractor tire and other debris here.
Phil called the experience “a great time and very fulfilling.”
While getting wet and muddy, the team picked up trash and debris that filled one 5’x8’ utility trailer plus two pickup truck beds – that’s about 8 cubic yards for those not in the waste management industry 😉
The trash included a tractor tire; about seven car tires; an aluminum truck topper; an office chair; two bicycles (one still ridable); a motorcycle helmet; at least 15 feet of culvert piping; about 10 trash bags full of plastic bottles and other lightweight garbage; and quite a few other miscellaneous items.
Lindsey served as a volunteer on Living Lands and Waters’ barges during a week-long cleanup in Memphis in 2017, and “that’s how I came to know and become passionate about their cause,” she says.
Contact Living Lands and Waters to clean up your mile of river. Every mile makes a difference to help watershed conservation efforts in your community. Imagine the impact thousands of volunteers of all ages, willing to roll up their sleeves and get dirty are making. Thank you!
Groundwater can be a replacement or a backup for the municipal water supply, as well as a budget saver and an insurance policy when water is scarce. Chuck Houser describes the environmentally friendly circumstances and conditions necessary to use groundwater as a way to reduce the strain on water resources; particularly in California and other water-scarce areas in the region.
By using groundwater, you are able to maintain your business the way you’d like, and you shrink your water consumption footprint in the overall water resources of the state. You are conserving by using water that is available only to you — the groundwater beneath your property.
Using groundwater is a privilege that may allow you to reduce water supply costs and better meet water conservation goals while reducing strain on an already stressed resource. With privilege comes responsibility — to use the resource appropriately and carefully.
Chuck Houser works in the earth science industry. He is a registered geologist, certified engineering geologist, and certified hydrogeologist. His expertise includes environmental site assessments, groundwater monitoring, fault and landslide investigations, groundwater resource studies, geological mapping, and geotechnical investigations. Chucks scientific knowledge of geology and experience in the earth science industry for SCS Engineers enable him to prepare useful hydrogeological research, accurate environmental assessments, and environmentally appropriate remediation approaches.
This article may be of interest to managers of large tracts of land such as golf courses, parks, and recreation centers under a mandatory water conservation order and are unsure whether a facility can meet the cutback requirements and still maintain the property.
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