the meat grinder...stick topic in and i'll grind it up...

yep, water.   good clean, fresh water.  a cheap staple of life and modern living in america.  this is the next thing that is going to cause your wallet and way of life, trouble.

this is nothing new if you live out west or in the s. east.  you already know there is drought conditions affecting certain parts of certain states.  the difference this time is an economy partially built on cheap clean water and being fueled by construction somewhat.  the more residents that flood south in search of new opportunites and an escape from the dead zone of the rust belt and michigan....the more problem this issue becomes.

the more recent event that has finally popped it's head into main stream media is the water shortages in atlanta and n. georgia.  this is an ugly situation.  it has many causes...but it boils down to a lack of proper leadership and overbuilding as well as generally lack of care by city dwellers. 

people i have to say this issue will not go away.  it's time for real leadership at the state and local level to address long term sustainable water plans.  georgia is not alone.  florida, alabama, tenn, even the carolinas are facing major water shortages.  the growth in the south is part of this problem, but it goes back to greed and money as most problems do.  the cities and state keep allowing building even though they know there isn't enough water to support the growth.  why would they do something so stupid, you ask?

well in their defense...it's a complicated issue.  in economics...just like in life....if you don't grow you slowly die.  so it's a battle between economic support and sustainable water.  the issue though is more to the effect of a general ignoring of water supply.  they build and after the fact figure a way to get more water if they need it. 

so here's what we need to do as tax payers and water users.  start conserving now before your area gets hit with a huge price increase and shortages in supply...because it is coming.  upgrade to low flow faucets and toilets, etc. you don't have to do it today, but when you get to the point to redo fixtures....look for ones that conserve water. fix leaky pipes immediately.  you would be surprised at how much water  is wasted on a slow leak.  if you are a renter...notify your landlord and demand that leaks are fixed.  plant only local and native plants when landscaping.  these plants through millions of years of evolution have adapted to your climate zone and rain fall levels.  you won't need to use any irrigation to support a beautiful, native yard.  this will save more fresh water than you can imagine.  i know firsthand, after i cut off my irrigation...aka sprinkler system.  i let what couldn't support itself on rainfall die off and have been slowly replacing it with native species of plants. 

on grass.  this is a touchy issue.  everyone loves a good lawn, but sit down and calculate how much money and time it costs you to pest spray, fertilize, trim and how much money to irrigate, etc, etc, etc.  it's a big chunk of time and cash.  my plan isn't to elimate grass, but rather to play to the various types that can survive by themselves without irrigation.  in florida....bahia does well in sunny areas, and typical rainfall will mostly keep it alive.  the issue is shady parts.  i despise st. augustine grass because of it's weakness to pest attacks and root structure being on the top of the soil so it needs massive water to sustain...but some varieties do okay in the shade.  so a mix match would do alright.  depending on where you live, my mix match likely won't work for you, but my point will.  so some reaerch on grasses and don't be afraid to mix varieties to make a sustainable lawn without massive irrigation.  like anything else, sometimes one won't suffice...so make it two, three or four until you get a nice green carpet that can survive without all the fertilizers and watering, etc. plus if you use a yard service you already have multiple grasses growing.  as the mowers pick up the seeds from seeding grasses and they fall back down on your lawn. so look hard and you'll see a few varieties already growing.  so don't be scared of mixing them.  your still gonna have to mow it though...but i got an electric mower...i've had it for years and i'd never go back to gas.

don't be afraid to cut back your use.  i turn the water off while brushing my teeth...used to let it run.  i cut my showers down to around 10 minutes..used to take 30 minute ones.  you can conserve allot just by thinking about it, while you are doig water use chores, etc.

lastly write to your local and state legislators and push for waste water redclamation for golf courses and other irrigation.  let them use the grey water not fresh.  push for mandatory cutbacks.  take action now before it's too late and the price of water makes oil seem cheap.

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• #1 Comment from autumnsavril 
  6/24/08 11:20 AM | Permalink

  All interesting stuff.  I never much paid attention to grass before, and I still don't own a lawn.
  
  Anyhow, I remember being in ninth grade or something and in biology they were talking about how some things were free because it was felt that everyone deserved these things--like sunshine and air, for example.  I remember thinking to myself that water should be free too, but it wasn't, and that the only reason sunshine and air were free was because no one had figured out a way to contain them and make us pay for them yet.
  
  It only sort of ties in here, I know, but I thought it worth mentioning since you're talking about something that should be given to us as cheap.  Just my $.02.