Brace yourself for some cold facts: the water on Earth is finite. What we have is what we get! Plus, according to the World Atlas, there are approximately 360,000 births every day, so our water supply requires more care than ever.
Fact: Most homes see the majority of their water footprint come from their indoor water use. Small adjustments to our daily routine can go a long way towards our water conservation efforts.
Coffee is 98.3% water and a little over 1% soluble plant matter. That’s a healthy helping of H2O! Water is both the main ingredient in your coffee and the solvent that extracts the oils from your coffee beans or grounds, so it’s pulling double duty.
Water makes up 75% of the Earth’s surface, so why is everyone concerned about finding enough adequate drinking water? The truth is, less than 1% of the Earth’s water is fresh water that we can drink. This 1% can become contaminated in a number of ways.
It's important to be proactive in creating prevention plans as well as formulating appropriate responses if preventable actions fail and your house does become flooded.
PREPARE FOR SEASONAL FLOODING
Flooding can happen in any season, but you can take precautions to prevent water damage at different times of the year. These seasonal weather patterns will be important to keep in mind when preparing for flooding.
SPRING
During spring thaw, melting snow can overflow lakes and riverbanks. Add spring rains to that abundance of water, and your home may be in danger of flooding. Severe flooding in the Midwest during spring has occurred many times over the years.
SUMMER
Thunderstorms in summer can bring heavy rains, sometimes over a period of several days, resulting in flooding in low lying areas. Some areas even experience flash floods during summer storms.
FALL
Hurricane season runs from June through November and during these months, locations along the East and Gulf coasts are vulnerable to storm surge and torrential rains. Even inland locations can be affected by rising floodwaters and ensuring your home is properly protected is vital to prevent damage.
WINTER
While big winter storms get headlines for bringing snow days to the north, they can also cause major rainfall in the warmer southern states. These big wintry snow dumps can lead to a buildup of snow that eventually leads to a big spring thaw.
HOW TO STOP FLOODING IN YOUR HOME
If you live in a high-risk area, it may be inevitable that your home will flood. Luckily, there are steps you can take to minimize the damage to structural elements and possessions in your home.
6 WAYS TO MINIMIZE FLOOD DAMAGE
1. Check your roof - Be sure that gutters and drains are clear of debris so rainwater can flow away from your home instead of seeping in through your roof or pooling at the base of your home.
2. Check the foundation - Find cracks and close them with expandable products such as hydraulic cement so water doesn't seep into your basement.
3. Move expensive items higher - When furnaces and water pumps are installed, make sure they are at least 12 inches above the known flood level for your area. Move valuable items to higher levels to avoid potential flood damage in low-lying areas.
4. Keep wastewater from backing up - Install sewer or septic line check valves, which will prevent your sewage from ending up in the standing water in your home.
5. Mitigate water damage - Once power sources like furnaces and water heaters are turned off and cool, you can wrap them up in waterproof tarps. Also make sure fuel tanks are anchored so they don't float or rupture.
6. Document your property - Take photos and videos of all the damage your property sustained. If you have flood insurance, it'll be necessary to show proof of what has been affected.
IMPORTANT STEPS TO TAKE TO HELP ENSURE YOUR SAFETY
DO NOT step into standing water in your basement. You risk electrocution. Turn off the power.
Scrub floors and surfaces with a bleach solution of one cup of bleach to one gallon of water.
Dry your home using dehumidifiers and fans.
Stop the flow of water. If a burst pipe has caused the flood, find the source and make plans for repairs before you turn the water back on.
Remove water. A sump pump or utility pump will effectively propel water out of your basement. Most homes have a sump pump in a pit or basin in the basement or crawl space. If, for some reason, your sump pump is broken, then a battery-powered backup will be more useful than bucketing water
MINIMIZE DAMAGE BY ACTING QUICKLY WITH IMMEDIATE WATER REMOVAL
Act within 48 hours to minimize the damage to structural elements and possessions in your home, which can help to prevent mold, and secondary water damage.
According to waterdamagedefense.com, 1-4" of water can cost $7,800 in repairs.* Removing all water and drying the area is most important to prevent damage.
A large amount of flood damage calls for a professional. Ask your homeowner insurance company for a recommendation.
*Source: https://www.waterdamagedefense.com/pages/water-damage-by-the-numbers
(Content courtesy of Pentair Everpure)
WHAT CAUSES FLOODS?
According to National Geographic, a flood occurs when water inundates land that's normally dry.
WHICH STATES & REGIONS ARE AFFECTED MOST BY FLOODING?
Flood plains and seasonal weather patterns are just a few reasons why certain areas are more susceptible to flooding. Below highlights high risk flooding areas.
COASTAL STATES
Coastal states are more susceptible to seasonal monsoon storms, excessive rainfall during winter months, increased storm surges and torrential rains. If you live in one of the below states, according to cdc.gov, you are susceptible to increased flooding:
California
Maryland
New Jersey
North Carolina
Texas
CANADIAN REGIONS
Canadian provinces are susceptible to flood damage as well.
Alberta
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Ontario
Quebec
3 TYPES OF FLOODS
URBAN FLOODS
Localized surface water flooding occurs in developed urban areas, where an over abundance of rainfall overwhelms the capacity of the current storm water drainage system, often appearing in the form of wet basements and sewer backups.
Typical season: Spring and Fall
RIVER FLOODS
River floods are typically caused by excess rain, ground saturation and snowmelt. Areas like North Central, Northeastern Canada that are near mountains are at risk from heavy snowfall. The snowmelt combined with an excess of rainfall can cause flooding downstream including in the US.
Typical season: Early Spring and Fall
FLASH FLOODS
Flash flooding is a concern from thunderstorms in the warm season. Areas like the Southwestern United States are affected by seasonal monsoon storms that trigger heavy rain runoff within a short amount of time causing high waters.
Typical season: Spring and Summer
WATER REMOVAL: NEXT STEPS
IMPORTANT STEPS TO TAKE TO HELP ENSURE YOUR SAFETY
DO NOT step into standing water in your basement. You risk electrocution. Turn off the power.
Stop the flow of water. If a burst pipe has caused the flood, find the source and make plans for repairs before you turn the water back on.
Remove water. A sump pump or utility pump will effectively propel water out of your basement. Most homes have a sump pump in a pit or basin in the basement or crawl space. If, for some reason, your sump pump is broken, then a battery-powered backup will be more useful than bucketing water
MINIMIZE DAMAGE BY ACTING QUICKLY WITH IMMEDIATE WATER REMOVAL
Act within 48 hours to minimize the damage to structural elements and possessions in your home, which can help to prevent mold, and secondary water damage.
According to waterdamagedefense.com, 1-4" of water can cost $7,800 in repairs.* Removing all water and drying the area is most important to prevent damage.
A large amount of flood damage calls for a professional. Ask your homeowner insurance company for a recommendation.
*Source: https://www.waterdamagedefense.com/pages/water-damage-by-the-numbers
EVERY DROP OF WATER CONSERVATION COUNTS
Fact: Most homes see the majority of their water footprint come from their indoor water use. Also, fact: Small adjustments to your daily routine can go a long way for your water conservation efforts.
Here are the best ways to save water while going about your day inside:
1. LIMIT YOUR SHOWER TO 5 MINUTES OR LESSThere’s no extended moment of Zen quite like a long, hot shower. But lose track of time and your water savings go right down the drain. Quick tip: Play music to stay on target. Ideally, you'll turn off the water and start drying off before the second song is over.
2. INSTALL A LOW-FLOW SHOWERHEADThe initial investment will pay off both in your monthly water bill, and – on a much larger scale – for the planet. Conserve the maximum amount of water by switching your showerhead flow rate to 1.0 gallons per minute. Reduce 96% of chlorine while conserving water.
3. SKIP FLUSHING, IF POSSIBLE
Flushing your toilet is the most significant use of water in your home. Flushing accounts for nearly 27% of your indoor water use. Follow this advice: "if it's yellow, let it mellow." It’s as conserving as it is catchy. Oh, and simply keep the toilet lid closed if you are concerned about the smell.
4. CHECK YOUR TOILET FOR LEAKS
It’s really quite simple. Just add a few drops of colored food dye in your toilet tank. If you spot any color in your toilet bowl after a couple of minutes without flushing, conduct a more thorough leak inspection. Routine home maintenance will limit the amount of water escaping through leaks and aging plumbing.
5. DON’T LET YOUR FAUCET RUNThis rule applies whether you're brushing your teeth, doing the dishes in the sink, or simply washing vegetables and fruits. Wash your food in a bowl and only fill it with the amount of water necessary for cleaning. When brushing your teeth or shaving, turn off the faucet when not actively using the water.
6. INVEST IN AN ENERGY EFFICIENT DISHWASHERYou may not have this option if you rent an apartment, but homeowners who can purchase an energy efficient dishwasher will save many gallons of water for each load of dishes. Don't start a cycle until your dishwasher is full! Washing dishes by hand will use about 20 gallons per load, while an energy efficient dishwasher can use as few as 4 gallons per load. Why stop at the dishwasher? Outfit your home with our top water-conserving appliances.
7. DRY YOUR CLOTHES ON A CLOTHES LINE OR DRYING RACKRunning your dryer requires electricity, and increasing your power usage means using more water. Power plants need a vast amount of water to generate electricity.
(Content courtesy of Pentair Everpure)
Water is our most precious resource. So, naturally, leaders are doing everything they can to keep the water flowing, right?
Brace yourself for some cold facts: the water on Earth is finite. What we have is what we get! Plus, according to the World Atlas, there are approximately 360,000 births every day, so our water supply requires more care than ever.
As reported by the BBC, freshwater scarcity is a growing concern worldwide. Due to increased demand on water supplies for food and energy production as the world population increases, global water demand is expected to increase by 55% by 2050, according to Global Water Forum. In addition, a NASA-led study concluded that many freshwater sources around the globe are being depleted faster than they’re being replenished.
As reported in Forbes, water futures began trading on the stock market for the first time in December 2020, alongside commodities like oil and gold. So, if drinkable water is a hot commodity, what can we do to support water sustainability?
WATER SUSTAINABILITY FACTS
Water is hard to come by across the globe. Areas like the southwest portion of the United States are in a constant drought, while countries like India and China are urbanizing so quickly that supplying their booming cities with water is a struggle.
Commercial activity, industrial runoff, and natural disasters further pollute our freshwater. The global water consumption rate is double the population growth rate, according to Reuters.
According to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the demand for drinking water will reach 150% of the actual supply in just five years. That means 1.8 billion people will live in water-scarce conditions.
NASA reports that humans are depleting one-third of our groundwater aquifers.
Two factors that lead to water scarcity are groundwater depletion and saltwater intrusion. Read on for the highlights and to discover what you can do about it.
WHAT IS GROUNDWATER DEPLETION?
Groundwater – it’s (probably) what’s in your cup! Drinking water comes from lakes, rivers, and streams, or it comes from groundwater, which is water underneath the Earth tucked away in the soil, sand, and porous rock. A large amount of groundwater in one place is called an aquifer.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, 68% of freshwater on the planet is frozen in ice caps, glaciers, and permanent snow. Less than 1% of freshwater flows through lakes and rivers, and the remaining 30% of freshwater in the ground.
Groundwater depletion is pretty straightforward. When people draw water from an aquifer faster than nature can replenish water through rain and other means, the aquifer slowly drains and can eventually run out of groundwater.
Groundwater depletion poses a massive problem for the surrounding area. If your city runs out of water, that’s game over! You would need to pack up and move somewhere with accessible drinking water, or the government would have to pay a pretty penny to ship water from somewhere else.
WHY HAS GROUNDWATER USE INCREASED?
51% of the U.S. population relies on groundwater, according to the Groundwater Foundation. So why is it slipping away?
As the BBC reported above, the population keeps climbing, and growing cities need water for manufacturing and agriculture. The BBC report also notes that climate change is aggravating water scarcity. Increased frequency and intensity of droughts and floods affect the water supply along with rapid glacial melting that can raise the sea level and lead to saltwater intrusion (what is saltwater intrusion, you ask…we’ll cover it in just a few paragraphs).
Fossil water, a type of paleowater, has been in the ground for millennia and can’t can’t replenish naturally, according to World Atlas. An area may not be able to replace fossil water because the water entered the aquifer under geological conditions that differ from those of the present.
In regions where precipitation is low, aquifers receive little-to-no recharge and are considered a non-renewable resource. We can’t replace fossil water, but municipalities may come to rely on this water to keep up with demand.
EFFECTS OF GROUNDWATER DEPLETION
Here’s what can happen when we keep slurping up groundwater:
Ground subsistence – Have you ever watched a terrifying video where the ground seems to collapse in on itself? The culprit might be ground subsistence. Water in an aquifer often acts as structural support. Once it’s gone, the ground can compact. Beyond the obvious danger, ground subsistence means that the aquifer’s ability to hold water is reduced because the soil was compacted, as reported by Clean Technica.
Lowered water table – Imagine you’re drinking a milkshake. As you drink, the top goes down, yes? When we drain groundwater, the water table, or the top of the aquifer, moves further into the ground. As the USGS notes, lowered water tables can cut off well access. Well owners might need to dig another well entirely to access their water.
Reduced water quality – The same USGS page above also explains that water quality can deteriorate as water levels in an aquifer drop. Rising levels of salinity can affect lowered aquifers. One of the primary causes of this phenomenon is saltwater intrusion.
WHAT IS SALTWATER INTRUSION?
Saltwater intrusion is the other heavy hitter in the realm of groundwater depletion.
You don’t need a degree in chemistry to know that you shouldn’t drink saltwater. Unfortunately, as the planet heats up, the sea levels rise, and saltwater is creeping even further in from the coastline, threatening our water supplies.
Here’s a quick breakdown of saltwater intrusion, courtesy of the USGS: when flood water or ocean water reaches the land, it can encroach into aquifers depleted of groundwater. Once the saltwater and freshwater mix, there’s no separating the two. That aquifer is compromised. According to that USGS page, states that are the most at-risk for saltwater intrusion are coastal states, such as Florida. Freshwater levels have decreased compared to the sea level, which allows a higher gradient of water to flow toward the freshwater.
HOW DOES SALTWATER INTRUSION OCCUR?
Great question! Under normal conditions, the natural barriers between freshwater and saltwater are pretty reliable. But, as we continue to pump groundwater out of aquifers, saltwater can migrate inward and upward to take up the vacant space, according to a report in Circle of Blue. If you want a brief introduction to the phenomenon of osmosis, check out our guide to reverse osmosis.
Obviously, this can cause a huge headache for coastal communities. According to the Groundwater Association, a cone of depression can form in the water table under a well. This process sucks saltwater into an upright cone below the well, and, if the rate of pumping increases, the saltwater cone can breach the well. This all sounds pretty bleak. What can we do about it?
WATER SCARCITY SOLUTIONSHumanity has a few options to protect freshwater and keep saltwater at bay (or, in this case, in the sea).
DESALINATIONWe can’t drink saltwater because, well, it’s full of salt. But what if it wasn’t? Desalination plants are large-scale facilities that convert water from the ocean into drinkable freshwater. That sounds perfect! Case closed, right? Not so fast – there are two significant roadblocks here.
Desalination is extremely expensive. Scientists are still developing and refining the technology. Desalination plants produce more brine than initially expected. A 2019 study published in Science of the Total Environment found that desalination plants create 1.5 times more brine than they do desalinated water. That adds up to 52 billion cubic meters of unusable brine per year around the world!
CONSERVATION
The harder answer is simple: we need to do a better job of protecting our freshwater supplies. Conserving water, practicing better water resource management, and putting corporate wants secondary to people’s needs will create a world where freshwater isn’t rapidly depleting.
But how are you supposed to help? You can always make small changes to your daily routine that will make a big difference. Things like: take shorter showers, and cover your pool when you’re not using it. Little lifestyle changes can really add up to a big difference.
(Content courtesy of Pentair Everpure)
