Why Saving Water for Summer is Key

While conserving water is something that should be on the minds of people throughout the year, it is even more important during the hotter months. The warmer temperatures associated with summer tend to coincide with an increase in water use — primarily due to the maintenance of lawns and landscaping, as well as the need to stay calm when outdoors.

Being aware of water use efficiency is something that is necessary throughout the entire year, it is important to understand that it is not only controlling the water consumption that is important, it is also the timing of the application that must be monitored.

Watering Lawns

In most geographical areas, homeowners will increase their water usage to ensure that their lawns are lush during the summer months. Owners, on average, use two to four times more water in the summer than they do at any other time during the year. Additionally, owners who have automatic irrigation systems will forget to observe weather conditions to turn the system off during times in which it is raining.

The increase in water waste during the summer months can easily contribute to a water shortage. The combination of the increased usage and the more rapid rate of water evaporation reduces water levels in the water reserves.

Here are some facts about the overuse of water during the summer months:

• It is estimated that overwatering leads to 50 percent of water waste during the summer months, due to runoff, erosion or evaporation.
• Depending on the geographical region, 30 to 70 percent of a home's water usage is committed to outdoor watering.
• The best way to get an idea of the increase in water usage in the summer in comparison to the winter month is to compare water bills between the two time periods.

Perpetual Water Shortages

According to a report issued by the United Nations, at least one-third of more than 40 countries throughout the worlds are suffering from an ongoing water shortage, and while industrialized nations like the United States rarely experience droughts on this level, each year we see homes and property destroyed as a result of dried out land due to a drought. As the population increases, and the mechanical interference with nature continues, the ability of the planet to naturally replenish the earth with an adequate water supply will become increasingly challenging.

The American population, especially its more affluent citizens, doesn't experience lack, and it 's hard to understand that water does not come in limitless supply. As the summer months roll around and heat increases, the increased water use places a significant strain on the ecological system to sustain that water consumption. It is common to see lakes and reservoir levels drop significantly during the summer months, with some never returning to normal levels.

The continuous decrease in water levels demands that water conservation becomes a global priority, even in areas in which water seems to be an abundant resource.

More Than What Meets the Eyes

While many are struggling with developing solutions to help meet ballooning water demands, there are many who will point to what they believe to be an abundance of water from sources such as the ocean and treated wastewater flows; however, what is not being considered in this instance is the tally of the cost to tap into these resources.

Some variables that must be considered when discussing the need for water conservation, especially during summer months, include:

• The contribution to global warming by the continuous atmospheric dumping of the byproducts of energy combustion and the impact of greenhouse gasses that are progressively degrading air quality — not to mention how these same practices often lead to water contamination.
• The voracious demands for energy have created the perfect storm to drive up energy costs, which includes the cost to access water.
• The water supply has also been contaminated by an entire generation of dumping hazardous and solid waste, including corrosive salts, treatment membranes and spent chemical solutions.
• The decimation of marine life is an ever-growing concern.
• Lakes, aquifers, and streams are shrinking because they are being denied return flow, as water is being diverted to the use of homeowners and businesses to water sprawling lawns and keep pool levels up.

Because the vast majority of Americans never see the results of droughts and water shortages, it is immensely difficult for them to understand the need for everyone to take a responsible approach to how they use water. Even when there seems to be an understanding of the dilemma, there appears to be a disconnect from the cognitive awareness of the issue and the practice of conservatism as it pertains to use.

Summer Heat Exacerbates Natural Loss

Watering lawns and washing cars is not the only way that water is lost. Millions of gallons of water are lost every year due to leaks. This problem is exacerbated during the summer months due to the increase in heat and the increase in usage. Poor quality and poorly installed systems are to blame for these leaks, and the costs associated with replacing or repairing these faulty systems ensures that it will take the time to rectify the problem.

Where people can make an immediate impact is in conserving water through reducing their personal use of water resources. Instead of washing the car every week, wash it twice per month. Cut one day per week out of the lawn watering cycle.

It is important to understand that water conservation is a concept that is defined by action, Passive platitude has no benefit in managing the current urgency associated with the decline in water resources and water availability.

The temptation to use more water during the summer months has become second nature; however, the need to be more conservative must rationally challenge the instinctive reaction to the heat. While drought is a serious condition that demands that citizens reduce their water usage, the need to conserve water is present even when there is no official drought.

If you have any concerns of water conservation in your Kitchener, Ontario area, call Lodder Brothers Limited today at (226) 780-4462.