Again, this week's post is going to be fairly short because most of my research is done and I'm now focusing on making my presentation and paper for the city!
The main part of this week was to meet with Robin Harrington, Water Conservation Manager of Flagstaff, and ask her a few questions regarding water usage, predictions, incentives, etc. To begin, I asked her what plans the city might have if water availability gets scarcer (such as the situation in California). She told me that they have had a strategy report since the 1980's with three levels (or "strategies" as they call them) of water conservation based on different criterion. Furthermore, as the strategies "go up," water restrictions and conservation enforcement become more severe due to less water available--level three is implemented for the most severe conditions while level one is more moderate. For example, in strategy one, people are encouraged to us xeriscaping techniques, use the best practices to minimize waste, and follow a watering schedule. However in strategy three, everyone must follow the protocol of strategy one and two as well as: "not using any potable water for outside use," "not using waste water intentionally or unintentionally," and "not using fire hydrants other than for public health and safety." Now, this isn't nearly the same as cutting water usage by 25% in CA, but we still do have a plan if things turn south. Finally, Robin did tell me that we are currently in strategy one but we did go into strategy two for some time a few years back. If you want to see the full report, here it is!
#2: How is the city predicting future precipitation? What have they predicted?
In short, she told me she honestly didn't know the answers and that I would need to ask in a different department--hey, honesty is the best policy (unless you're asking who stole the cookies from the cookie jar, because in that case I didn't do it). Anywho, back on track, what she did tell me is that she would think that they look at historical data to predict but also take into account population growth. Although there have been drier periods in the past, but it may not have had a huge affect on the city because the population was much smaller. With this in mind, she said that the City Council has to plan changes well in order to balance the water amount available with the population in order to conserve. She also informed me that the city has about 100 years of water in our sources! That really surprised me because I never expected us to have that much! Finally, on the topic of usage, she said that even though the people of Israel live off of 18 gallons per day, a person could theoretically live off of the bare minimum of 10 gallons/ day. However, how much one can cut back on water usage depends on how willing they are. Some are willing to take a sponge bath while others may put up a fight when they can't wash their car every week.
#3: What efforts are being made to impact climate change (emissions-wise)--both on a city and individual level?
On the city level, it is mainly public outreach and education about conservation as well as social events such as promoting. On an individual level, Robin recommended that people:
- Travel less
- Bike ride and walk more
- Use less electricity (thus possibly lowering emissions from power plants)
- Use less water (less electricity to pump it)
If I did all that, I bet I'd be the coolest cat in town! Now, even if it seems like you won't make a difference just by doing this individually, I think that you can. Even if you can't force others to change how they live, all you can do is change how you live yours. But if others see you, then they might be inspired to do the same! Ripple effect, people!
#4: What are the water sources for the city?
She told me that the city gets its water from three main sources: ground water pumped from several ranches in the surrounding area, Lake Mary, and several wells. Depending on the season, they will also take advantage of the Inner Basin springs.
#5: What incentives do you have for people to use less water?
I told you, incentives! She told me that the main way the city does this is through a rebate system. The main three rebates someone can take advantage of is the rainwater, turf, and low-flow rebates. With the rainwater, if you harvest at least 1,000 gallons of rainwater--lowering your overall city water consumption--the city will give you a $100 rebate! For the turf, you would get a rebate if you replace at least 1500 square feet of your outdoor turf with plants that require less water. Finally, even though the national requirements on toilets is 1.6 gallons, if you install toilets requiring 1.3 gallons or less, then today is your lucky day! For more information on all of these, you can find them here!
#6: If many of the residents of Flagstaff began harvesting rain, how would that effect/ benefit the city?
Now, I believe I discussed this question last week but just to recap, Robin told me that one benefit is that people would use less city water, the city would have to pay less to pump groundwater. However, she did tell me that one downside is that waste would become more concentrated and would thus be more strenuous on city utilities. I understood this to be caused by people becoming more aware of their water consumption (one imminent, non-lethal side effect of harvesting rainwater) thus trying to conserve by using less to remove waste, making it more concentrated!
On a final note, there is a fairly new documentary out called Cowspiracy which discusses how the main water consumer in California is the cattle industry. Even though this doesn't have much to do with rainwater harvesting, it does have a lot to do with water conservation and how even diet can influence your community. Interesting idea, huh?
Well, this wraps up this week, so thanks for reading and I hope you have a good day! And if you're interested in any of the other awesome Senior Research Project, feel free to check them out aqui! :)
#4: What are the water sources for the city?
She told me that the city gets its water from three main sources: ground water pumped from several ranches in the surrounding area, Lake Mary, and several wells. Depending on the season, they will also take advantage of the Inner Basin springs.
#5: What incentives do you have for people to use less water?
I told you, incentives! She told me that the main way the city does this is through a rebate system. The main three rebates someone can take advantage of is the rainwater, turf, and low-flow rebates. With the rainwater, if you harvest at least 1,000 gallons of rainwater--lowering your overall city water consumption--the city will give you a $100 rebate! For the turf, you would get a rebate if you replace at least 1500 square feet of your outdoor turf with plants that require less water. Finally, even though the national requirements on toilets is 1.6 gallons, if you install toilets requiring 1.3 gallons or less, then today is your lucky day! For more information on all of these, you can find them here!
#6: If many of the residents of Flagstaff began harvesting rain, how would that effect/ benefit the city?
Now, I believe I discussed this question last week but just to recap, Robin told me that one benefit is that people would use less city water, the city would have to pay less to pump groundwater. However, she did tell me that one downside is that waste would become more concentrated and would thus be more strenuous on city utilities. I understood this to be caused by people becoming more aware of their water consumption (one imminent, non-lethal side effect of harvesting rainwater) thus trying to conserve by using less to remove waste, making it more concentrated!
On a final note, there is a fairly new documentary out called Cowspiracy which discusses how the main water consumer in California is the cattle industry. Even though this doesn't have much to do with rainwater harvesting, it does have a lot to do with water conservation and how even diet can influence your community. Interesting idea, huh?
Well, this wraps up this week, so thanks for reading and I hope you have a good day! And if you're interested in any of the other awesome Senior Research Project, feel free to check them out aqui! :)
-Lia
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