Water Conservation Case Study
Albuquerque, New Mexico
All of Albuquerque's water is pumped from the ground. Residents always believed their aquifer was unlimited until a United States Geological survey proved otherwise. The city implemented a water conservation program and targeted a 30 percent reduction in per capita water use. To study their methods go to http://www.cabq.gov/waterconservation/insert.html
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Water Wise Gardening Case Study
Greensboro, North Carolina
Background
Greensboro, North Carolina is the third largest city in the state, with a population of 209,000. The city has a heavy manufacturing base. In fact, manufacturing uses 32 percent of the city's water.
History of a Water Crisis
In late 1998, Greensboro experienced serious drought conditions. September was the driest on record, and no rainfall occurred the remainder of the year. By December, reservoir levels had dropped alarmingly low. If the drought continued, city managers estimated the reservoir might run dry within 80 days. They considered closing schools and businesses.
On an 85 degree December day, Greensboro held an emergency meeting. A drought mitigation specialist from California told city managers that, with education and no major lifestyle changes, Greensboro could cut water use by 50 percent. Fortunately, within a week of the meeting, the rains came. Greensboro also began purchasing water from other cities.
Current water management plans can be viewed at www.ci.greensboro.nc.us/wateres/default.htm
Industry Response
The city's green industry organized and the resulting team included retailers, wholesalers, landscapers and irrigation companies.
Their first line of defense was image improvement. As in any crisis, misconceptions surfaced. City managers equated water shortages with outside irrigation. Consumers avoided buying new plants. Setbacks also occurred. The third stage of the city's water management plan prohibited all outside watering, with no exceptions for newly planted material. Heavy lobbying by the car wash industry kept those businesses operating. The green industry felt the city council favored clean cars over live trees. Some considered moving their retail garden centers to cities without water restrictions.
The Green Industry Team counteracted these difficulties by meeting with city managers and the mayor. They explained that water shortages were due to weather, not outside irrigation practices. They shared water wise gardening ideas and identified water wasters like leaky plumbing.
The team used several approaches to raise water wise awareness. These included:
- Proactive political involvement at the grass roots level--industry members met regularly with city leaders and joined the Citizen's Water Task Force. By representing a wide range of the green industry, clout and networking increased.
- Recommendations from ANLA's Water Wise Kit to become informed and develop strategies.
- Recommendations for every-other-day water restrictions, even in times of no drought.
- Working with media to educate and promote benefits of plants. Maintaining a positive image and avoiding being cast as scapegoats.
- Conducting water wise gardening seminars at area garden centers.
- New Garden Landscape and Nursery in Greensboro developed a blend of two drought tolerant grasses.
Results
Greensboro took several actions during the water shortage crisis and for the future:
- Water restrictions were instituted (www.ci.greensboro.nc.us/wateres/default.htm).
- Free water saving devices and rain gauges were distributed to the public.
- The city padlocked residential and commercial irrigation boxes during the drought. A new city code required water censors on irrigation systems.
- Discount water rates for manufacturers were eliminated; industrial water use dropped considerably.
- A previously stalled reservoir project regained attention-- it may be started in 2001.
- Water wise concepts were promoted through television and newspaper advertisements as well as county extension agencies.
Currently, Greensboro has no water restrictions in place, despite industry recommendations. However, the perception of water as an unlimited resource has changed forever in the minds of residents and city planners. Repercussions are still felt by the green industry, particularly in retail markets.
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Water Wise Gardening Case Study
Lincoln, Nebraska
The following case study dates from 1995, but all elements are still intact. Water demand drops off periodically because of rainfall, but Lincoln continues to cope with drought. On the positive side, as the community has grown, water consumption has remained relatively level.
Access current information at www.ci.lincoln.ne.us/city/pworks/water/index.htm
Background
Lincoln, Nebraska, is the second largest city in the state, with a population of approximately 230,000. The city's population grows at a rate of one to two percent per year.
As the city has grown, so has its water use. The Lincoln Water System delivers 70 million gallons on any given day. Summer water use pushes the system to its capacity. However, prior to 1991, water conservation programs had been used during hot, dry summers to reduce peak system pumpage.
In the mid-1990's, the city expanded water production capabilities, delivering 100 million gallons per day, at a cost of $86 million. Even with expansion, Lincoln realized that conservation was much less costly than developing new water sources. By conserving water, the city expects to extend its new system by as much as 10 years.
The Mayor's Water Conservation Task Force, formed in the late summer of 1990, was created to develop positive approaches to water conservation. They determined voluntary cooperation was the best approach to accomplish conservation practices. View task force information and objectives at
http://www.ci.lincoln.ne.us/city/ pworks/water/conserve/wtrtskfc.htm
Industry Response
The nursery industry played, and continues to play, a major role in Lincoln's efforts to encourage voluntary conservation. Throughout the planning process nurserymen emphasized that Water Wise gardening didn't mean "no plants;" but instead meant using sound plant selection, placement, and cultural practices. The industry helped make a list of Water Wise plants, in the belief that it was important to have input. This list was considered a key part of the plan.
Results
Partnerships established between the green industry, homebuilders, realtors, and city officials remain strong today. Continued communication and cooperation have resulted in increased understanding and goodwill between all parties.
Most importantly, Lincoln's Plant Water Wise campaign is conserving water. In 1990, the city suffered through 36 days with temperatures above 90 degrees. That year, residents twice pushed their water system to its capacity. The Water Wise program was introduced that year. In 1991, Lincoln endured 46 days of 90 degrees and above without once peaking water demand. The city continues to strive for balanced water consumption. If balance is achieved, Steve Masters, public utilities administrator, is confident Lincoln can meet water demands.
Recommendations
Nursery industry and city officials offer several suggestions to nurserymen who want to develop proactive water conservation plans in their own communities:
- In most areas, nurseries are valued for their products and for the stability of their family-oriented businesses. Chances are great that you will be well received by local officials.
- Let elected officials and water managers know you want to be part of the solution. Get involved. Offer constructive ideas. Don't just complain.
- Work for a long-term relationship built on trust and understanding.
Lincoln, Nebraska Water System
Water Management Plan
Phase I-Voluntary Conservation
Voluntarily practice water conservation June 1 to September 1
Phase II-Voluntary Odd-Even Outdoor Watering
Phase II remains in effect through September 1
Phase III-Water Alert, Mandatory Odd-Even Outdoor Watering
Phase III remains in effect until rescinded by the mayor
Phase IV-Water Warning
Phase IV remains in effect until rescinded by the mayor
Phase V-Water Emergency
Phase V remains in effect until rescinded by the mayor
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Water Wise Gardening Case Study
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Update
The Virginia Beach case study illustrates how consistent industry intervention can impact public practices and policies. The addition of a new pipeline and steady rainfall has eliminated the city's need for water restrictions. However, during shortages in the early 1990's, Virginia Beach was very successful in keeping water consumption low. View previous water restrictions at
http://www.virginia-beach.va.us/dept/putility/usewater.htm
The city's site also displays a water efficiency guide at
http://www.virginia-beach.va.us/dept/putility/water.htm#cutoff
A related site is www.hrwet.org
This is the site of the Hampton Roads Water Efficiency Team.
Eddie Anderson, McDonald's Garden Center, Virginia Beach, was a key player in the Green Industry group. He offers the following recommendations to nurserymen facing water shortage challenges:
- Promote plant benefits. Seize the opportunity presented by water restrictions and resulting negative publicity. "We convinced leaders we could keep the community beautiful while conserving water," Anderson says. Promote economic and environmental values.
- Take a leadership role in the community. Raise your industry's visibility as a leader in responsible conservation through Water Wise gardening. "Water Wise gardening tips give political leaders something to latch onto," Anderson notes. Promote the basic principles to public officials and private citizens. The media will respond favorably and industry will prevail!
- Form a statewide Water Wise council. Most public water utilities have funds available to form an independent Water Wise council that promotes conservation. This affords an opportunity for allied industries, groups, and organizations to unite and contribute resources.
- Network extensively. Meet as many people as you can and share positive solutions. Have Water Wise committees publish news releases for industry, public officials, and the public. Repetition of positive messages is beneficial.
- Educate the extension service. Have your Water Wise or Green Industry committee meet with state extension leaders who train community agents. Share information, facts, ideas and contacts. Emphasize this vital issue and ask for help.
- Identify examples of the benefits of plants. Provide as many tangible examples as possible: how trees reduce air temperatures, save electricity and water, control erosion, etc. Use dollars and cents wherever possible.
- Share information with industry groups. Send examples of good programs and materials to ANLA so they can tell the rest of the industry about them. We need a "menu" of ideas and approaches so we can choose the ones that best fit our own communities.
Most importantly, Anderson advises, your main goal should be to educate the community on the value of green, growing plants and how they contribute to quality of life. This approach, rather than the short-term goal of removing water restrictions, allows industry to be successful in the long run.
Though Virginia Beach is not currently in a water shortage and restrictions are not in effect, the following model is still worthy of study. It is an example of how industry turned a negative situation into a positive one.
Background
Since 1942, the city of Virginia Beach had purchased its water from nearby Norfolk, Virginia. As the Norfolk system became overextended, it limited Virginia Beach to an annual average daily consumption of no more than 30 million gallons per day-a reduction of at least 10 percent.
In February 1992, the Virginia Beach city council passed mandatory water conservation measures. Their goal was to reduce consumption by 10 percent. This mandate included strict landscape watering restrictions. See http://www.virginia-beach.va.us/dept/putility/water.htm#cutoff
Industry Response
The Tidewater Virginia Nurserymen's Association, whose membership includes Virginia Beach, expanded its subcommittee on water issues to include greenhouse growers, landscape architects, irrigation suppliers, lawn care firms, turf farms, and extension agents. This group was named the Green Industry. Its goals were to:
- Educate the public on Water Wise gardening techniques.
- Educate the political leadership on the value of plants in the community and how to reduce water consumption with the least harm to plants and environment.
- Educate the city council.
- Develop a model water-use ordinance.
- Persuade the city to ease restrictions on landscape watering.
- Through a series of meetings, public hearings, letters and phone calls, the Green Industry provided factual information to the mayor, city council, and water department on plant value, water needs, and practical ways to help citizens save water through Water Wise methods. Water use data was gathered from the water department, and plant benefit information was collected from ANLA or use in communications.
- The group adopted the term "urban agriculture" to describe landscaping and gardening. They believed the term broadened the appeal and impact of the activity with political leaders.
- The Green Industry closely monitored the deliberations and actions of the mayor, city council, and water department. An industry representative attended every meeting where the issue was discussed. Flawed plans were criticized and constructive ideas offered.
- On the public education front, the Green Industry generated newspaper articles, consumer brochures, and a cable television program focusing on Water Wise gardening. They also developed a Water Wise garden at a popular local park.
The City's Response
In addition to mandatory water use restrictions issued, the Mayor formed a citizen committee to promote water conservation practices. Restrictions combined with citizen conservation would help reduce water consumption by at least 10 percent. The committee was made up of some 50 citizens, with representatives from business, city government, civic groups, commercial developers, and the military.
Before the action plan was developed, the committee surveyed residents on their water use habits. Data showed that 60 to 70 percent of residential water use occurred in the bathroom (with toilet flushing alone accounting for 40 percent). The study's authors suggested that controlling bathroom water use might be the city's best conservation strategy.
Some of the committee's public outreach activities included brochures, paid newspaper advertising, utility bill inserts, media interviews, TV public service announcements, and a speaker's bureau.
Outcomes
Overall, retail sales in Virginia Beach seemed to hold their own during this period of watering restriction due to the shifting of product mix by retailers. It was estimated that woody plant material sales in Virginia Beach were down by around 20 percent, while color sales (annuals and perennials in bloom) increased.
Thanks to the Green Industry group, water restrictions were eased to accommodate fall planting. The group then worked with city government to establish a water management policy that allowed reasonable landscape watering and emphasized Water Wise gardening education.
By working together toward a common goal, even diverse groups can achieve positive results. Virginia Beach's commitment to public education and the development of new water sources were critical factors to the long-term health of the local nursery industry.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Water Management Plan
The following were proposed water conservation measures for each of the four phases of water restrictions in Virginia Beach.
Phase I
No water shortages exist.
Guidelines are established for best water management practices in the landscape.
Phase II
Low reservoir water supply.
Some water conservation must occur to ensure adequate supply.
Phase III
Initial drought conditions have occurred.
The reservoir is low.
Further reduction in water consumption must occur.
Phase IV
Severe drought conditions have occurred.
The reservoir supply of water is below a three-week supply.
Emergency conditions exist. Water consumption must be reduced.
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