Living in the arid Southwest, water is an increasing issue of concern in New Mexico. With droughts becoming increasingly common and more frequent, and increasing population demands, it’s more important than ever to be mindful of our water consumption. Utilizing water conservation techniques and tactics can help conserve this precious resource and help keep New Mexico green.
Constant checking and monitoring of water consumption can be the most effective way to conserve water and ensure that the resource is managed optimally. Be sure to check for leaks frequently, and have a maintenance schedule for inspecting taps, toilets, sprinklers, and hoses for leaks. Additionally, changing sprinkler patterns and setting up irrigation systems with timers can cut down on water waste.
Batches of weather can heavily impact water usage – drought periods, for example, requires more water conservation than normal. In these times, homeowners should limit outdoor watering, including limiting warm weather shower durations, and repeating laundry loads instead of full loads. Simple techniques like these can help maximize water savings.
Reduce Your Monthly Water Bill
The monetary cost of water is no small matter – when water bills get too high, it can put a strain on family budgets. Reducing water usage is a great way to cut down on bills and save money. Reusing water from showers, and utilizing water-efficient fixtures such as low-flow showers, toilets, and faucets can help significantly reduce water bills over time.
If the budget allows, investing in game-changing appliances such as advanced irrigation systems or water-efficient washing machines can help stretch the budget further without compromising on water usage. Other tech like water level detectors and rain gages can help balance water intake with outside weather conditions.
Large Scale Conservations
For homeowners and other stakeholders who want to get closer to the source of water and conserve on a larger scale, simple techniques such as using native vegetation and low-maintenance landscaping can help conserve water on a larger scale. Planting trees or shrubs that require less water to survive can alleviate straining water demands, and even a simple grass or rock field can be quite effective.
Further, using colour schemes and texture palettes that rely more on natural sites, such as gravel, wood, stone and divots can work wonders to help conserve water. The utilization of these combines techniques can create a beautiful site, while simultaneously helping save on water.
Designers of outdoor spaces can also utilize manure fertilizers, compost and native soil for a greater impact. Often times, these techniques can be combined with more innovative technology such as diverted water systems, rain harvesting and other forms of water reclamation.
Major Contributors to Waste
- Faulty or leaking pipes
- Tastes of water in taps
- Overwatering lawns and gardens
- Filling to full tanks and tubs
- Planting water-intensive plants
Conclusion
Water conservation plays a major role in preserving New Mexico’s beautiful and naturally fragile ecosystems. Taking simple steps such as the above-suggested tactics can help reduce water waste, save money, and even improve the aesthetics of outdoor spaces. It’s a win-win for both Arborists and regular homeowners alike.