Water Conservation Discussed at NAHB Green Conference

Though the droughts in the Southeast have eased, the need to conserve water has not—36 states are facing water shortages by 2015.

Conservation measures are underway in homes around the country in the form of low-flow plumbing fixtures, rainwater harvesting, and native landscaping, but more needs to be done: Population growth and land use will to continue to challenge strained resources that already are leading to water-use wars around the country.

At the residential level, one of the chief problems is that every day we send the majority of our pure, treated drinking water down the drain—not into our bodies—said Mike Hoover, a professor at the North Carolina State University Department of Soil Science and a speaker during the 2010 NAHB National Green Building Conference. The average U.S. home uses 400 gallons of water per day; of that, less than 3 gallons are for personal consumption.

Hoover believes we need to re-envision water and begin thinking about its various purposes. In other words, why not have “toilet flushing water,” “laundry water,” etc., in addition to “drinking water”?

Among the many solutions being employed, Hoover is working to bring attention to the idea of “decentralized wastewater reuse.” Wastewater reuse isn’t a new concept—it’s practiced on a centralized (i.e., community) basis more and more. But what’s not as common are on-site systems, in which certain types of wastewater are treated and reused on site.


Full article at http://ht.ly/1PMq5






Rainwater Collection Source for Potable Water

Rainwater Collection is a proven water conservation approach and with the right equipment a solution for potable water. More homeowners in Atlanta are discovering the many benefits of having a professionally installed rainwater collection system installed in their backyard. No more worries about water restrictions. Your garden and landscape will thrive and you reduce your environmental impact. For more information on rainwater Collection please visit www.ecovieenvironmental.com