Smart water use is an increasingly vital challenge for local governments and communities, and there are many ways to turn this challenge into opportunities to advance water conservation. As water availability changes in regions across the country, local leaders must look for ways to conserve water supplies by minimizing water waste. Managing the effects of precipitation is a job every local government must do, and rain and snow provide both challenges and opportunities for local governments, businesses, and residents. To advance smarter water use in your community, consider the following ways to approach water availability:
- Capture and use rainwater to reduce the need for stormwater treatment and prevent fresh water from going to energy-intensive treatment facilities.
- Install fixtures such as low flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets to save millions of gallons of water.
- Improve water conservation through local government codes and incentives.
- Install cisterns and rain barrels to capture rainwater for irrigation at local green spaces, homes, and businesses to reduce water consumption by putting rain to good use.
- Plant trees and native plants, and install bioswales and other landscaping features to slow and retain more stormwater.
- Install permeable cement and pavement for roads, sidewalks, and parking lots to retain enormous amounts of rainwater.
- Promote the installation of green roofs and on-site rain gardens to take advantage of water retention cells connected to building downspouts.
Learn more about smart water use with the resources below.
