Celebrate Water in the month of August

Water is our most important natural resource and also our most vulnerable one. We cannot live without water.
And yet, because water bills are the cheapest one to arrive in our homes, we use it as if it will last forever no matter how much we consume and waste.

The fact is that as a consequence of climate change, the increase in population and water consumption, many states in the USA will start to deal with freshwater shortages. The scientists are telling us that with climate change also USA is and will experience extreme episodes of flooding or draught more frequently, but they cannot yet predict where and when they will occur exactly.

West coast and southeast regions are already experiencing severe draught.

Some areas, on the other end, are and will experience more flooding due to heavy downpours in a short time frame. The flooding may temporally affect the infrastructures, which supply freshwater.

Even if the region where you live will not be affected directly from draughts or floods, your federal taxes money will be used to help other states in need.

Last, it never comes to our mind that the process involved to bring safe and drinkable water to our homes, uses a lot of energy and that the energy cost at some point may start to affect our water bills.

Those are all good reason to start saving water and money.

Here is a page where you can see how USA uses freshwater
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/summary95.html

Here is a page where you can have an idea of how much water we use in our homes.
http://www.drinktap.org/consumerdnn/Default.aspx?tabid=85


The first step is to calculate how much water you consume (water footprint), Below are some website who offer a water calculator and tips on how to save water.
http://www.nwf.org/water/watercalculator.cfm
http://www.waterfootprint.org/?page=files/WaterFootprintCalculator
http://www.h2oconserve.org/home.php?pd=index
http://www.h2ouse.org/ http://www.waterbudgets.com/ConserVision/CUWCC/DataInput.htm
http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/

In some states and towns where water supply is becoming an issue you can find local water calculators. Here are some examples:
http://www.tampagov.net/dept_water/information_resources/Saving_water/Water_use_calculator.asp
http://savewaternc.org/WaterCalculator.asp


EPA has an entire webpage dedicated to SAVE WATER http://www.epa.gov/owm/water-efficiency/

EPA has a collection of website that tells What You can do! http://www.epa.gov/water/citizen.html

Here are some educational website that explain the water cycle and water quality.
http://www.usgs.gov/science/science.php?term=1306
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/mwater.html


August is National Water Quality Month and in March there is the World Water Day (http://www.unwater.org/flashindex.html).

Don’t worry; we will have more on water!