It's both an indictment of our national water addiction and an inspiring and helpful roadmap, showcasing water conservation success stories, offering helpful tips to reduce our own water use, and full of interesting statistics about how - and where - we use our water.
An illustration shows a future less dependent on water, with permeable pavement, native plants, smart irrigation, composters and water storage, along with a glossary of terms for those new to the idea of using less water.
A list of resources is also included. For the Northwest, they suggest Partnership for Water Conservation.
Here's a taste from the introductory article (hope I can do this if I give them enough credit!):
Admit that the West has a problem: Arm yourself with statistics
- California is in its third year of drought.
- The Colorado River has run low 9 out of the last 10 years.
- By 2050, the Sierra Nevada snowpack
- By 2050, the Sierra Nevada snowpack is projected to be depleted by at least 25% because of climate change.
- Urban growth has reduced the groundwater feeding Arizona’s San Pedro River by 30%. The river already runs dry in places.
Look for inspiration: Dry Las Vegas got support from its innovative water district
Fly into Las Vegas, and you see a turquoise archipelago of pools glinting in the sun. You might think this desert city is gambling with its water supply like a loser at the craps table. You’d be wrong. Aridity is the mother of invention. Even though Las Vegas’ water use remains high ― mostly because the region gets only 4.2 inches of rain a year ― no area of the country has worked harder to use water wisely.
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