Living on the
Monterey Peninsula, surrounded by water, it seems odd that we would have to
worry about water conservation efforts, but the
fact is that it is necessary for us in order to
ensure there is enough clean drinking water to
go around.
Although almost 80
percent of Earth is covered with water, only 3
percent of the planet's water resources
represent fresh water. Less than 1 percent of
all water is available for human consumption;
the rest is ocean saltwater or freshwater
that is bound up in glaciers and polar ice caps.
Of the water available to humans, animals, and
plants, only a tiny fraction is used as drinking
water. Most of what is consumed is used to
create electricity, grow crops, run factories,
and for household and sanitation needs.
In the U.S., almost 100
gallons per day of drinking water are used per
capita. The problem is local as
well as global. In the desert Southwest, drought
combined with depleted stores of groundwater and
burgeoning Sunbelt populations are putting
unprecedented strains on the water supply. Water
is in demand for a myriad of uses: recreational,
mining and industry, fishing, irrigation, and
riparian habitat preservation, among others.
Why
should you conserve water?
There are many
good reasons to conserve water.
- Saving water
will save you money.
- Water is a
precious resource! As such, it will only
become more expensive.
- Water
conservation helps preserve the natural environment.
- Water
conservation maintains crucial habitats to
support biodiversity.
Although water
conservation helps, some people have
misconceptions about what water conservation can
and can't do. For tips on ways that you can
conserve water in your daily actions,
click here.
If we all work together to conserve water, we
can help assure a bright and prosperous life for
future generations. Become an advocate of
conservation in our community. Help promote
conservation as a wise and important water
management principle.
For great
information and tips on conserving water in our
area, visit the
Monterey
Peninsula Water Management District
to learn about Water Wise Landscaping
techniques, drought tolerant plants or to find
information on how to pick up a free low-flow
shower head or garden sprinkler! For more
information please see the
Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency
about their programs as well.
Other Websites:
http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/
http://www.h2oconserve.org/
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