Environmental Issues

97 of water on Earth is salty and therefore is not suitable for drinking. The remaining amount of fresh water has always been enough to satisfy needs of the mankind. But rapid growth of the population leads to rising demand on drinking water. Problem of clean water supply shortage has already been faced in many parts of the Globe.

Government of the USA is on the alert. Number of states and cities has already initiated measures increasing water use efficiency. Olympia, WA can serve as a good example.

The city has never suffered from droughts and can boast mild climate. Getting about 50 inches of rain a year the area seems to have unlimited access to water resources. Nevertheless, heightened water demand during summer months and constantly growing number of city residents call for water conservation. D.Poushard states that the city has had one since 1997 and has expanded in scope every year since its inception.

The city of Olympia water conservation program has several policies in different areas. It stipulates for implementation of practices aimed at indoor, outdoor and commercial water conservation. The city is a partner in Water Conservation Programs offered by LOTT Alliance which offer residential sewer customers free high-efficiency toilets to replace older, water-wasting fixtures (residential toilet program), free high-efficiency toilets and installation to eligible commercial sewer customers (commercial toilet program),  100rabats on resource-efficient washing machines that can save the average household up to 8,000 gallons of water per year, rebates to industrial, commercial, and institutional customers who install water-saving technologies.

According to the City of Olympia website other aspects of the program include annual rain barrel sales at subsidized price, free rain gauges and rain sensors, free irrigation checkups for high water user customers, free hose repair kits aimed at reducing leaking water waste, education seminars and information. The City of Olympia provides This Lawn Isnt Dead, its Just Sleeping signs for water customers who choose to let their lawns go dormant. If lawns in front of every house were dormant it would be possible to save up to 50 of water that is spent during summer months.

Implementation of the arrangements is ensured by number of financial incentives which have proved to be more effective than penalizing. John Anderson, Senior Fellow of the Water Conservation Institute, states that Government agencies need to be encouraging irrigators and farmers to conserve water, not punishing them. (Anonymous, 2010) Moreover because of existing water conservation rates aimed at decrease of water consumption residents as well as business are interested in cutting down their bills through more efficient water usage. D. Pushard assures that most customers opt to find out more and in fact reduce their water consumption between 17-20 by following the actions recommended by city conservation specialists.