Watersaving Ways

Writen by Michelle Hancock

We turn on the tap and there it is: water. This liquid of life nourishes our environment, our crops, and our bodies. But there are fears for the future of our water supply. Planners warn that good quality water could become the world's most sought-after resource.

The average Canadian household releases about 691 kg of water pollutants annually, according to recent research by the David Suzuki Foundation. As contamination threats continue, our water quantity is diminishing. A 2003 report by Statistics Canada into the nation's freshwater resources notes how since 1850–and especially in the last 50 years–about 1,300 of our glaciers have lost 25 to 75 percent of their mass. Along the Rocky Mountain eastern slope, glacier coverage is decreasing rapidly and is now the lowest it has been in 10,000 years.

Canadians are the second largest water consumers in the world. Recent statistics show each Canadian uses 1,471 cubic metres of water annually, while each American uses 1,870 cubic metres.

Watering yards and gardens accounts for 14 percent of our annual household water use. In the summer months, this jumps significantly, making outdoor water conservation essential to preserving and protecting our precious resource.

Common sense measures, such as taking showers instead of baths and only doing full laundry loads, can also make a big difference. When it comes to water, let's make our philosophy: Waste not, want not.

For great water-preserving tips, check out the following resources:

• davidsuzuki.org, The Green Guide by the David Suzuki Foundation
• savingwater.org, The Saving Water Partnership

Water-Friendly Lawn Care

Turning your lawn into that perfect blanket of green can come at a cost. Summer water consumption increases by 50 percent, putting stress on local lakes, rivers, and reservoirs at a time of year when water flows are naturally low.

The good news is a few basic steps can go a long way toward maintaining water-conscious greenery. Greg Seaman, founder of eartheasy.com and long-time ecological thinker, has these tips:

Choose a Locally Adapted Grass

Grasses vary in their preferred climates, amount of water and nutrients required, shade tolerance, and the degree of wear they can withstand. Ask your local garden centre to recommend a grass best adapted to your area.

Mow Often, but Not Too Short

Giving your lawn a "Marine cut" isn't doing it a favour. Surface roots become exposed, the soil dries out faster, and surface aeration is reduced. Don't cut off more than one-third of the grass at any one time. Most turf grass species are healthiest when kept between 2½ and 3½ inches in height.

Water Deeply, but Not Too Often

Thorough watering encourages your lawn to develop deep root systems that make the lawn hardier and more drought resistant. Let the lawn dry out before rewatering; the colour should dull, and footprints should stay compressed for more than a few seconds.

The best time for watering is early morning because less water will be lost to evaporation.

Vancouver writer Michelle Hancock loves writing about health and the environment and is a regular contributor to alive magazine. Visit http://www.alive.com for related articles.