Sacrificing Landscapes Won't Solve Water Crisis

Please re-write or re-type on your own letterhead, sign it, and send to your local newspaper editor.

In the past, water shortages and drought seemed to happen in other places, to other people. Most of us grew up thinking of water as an unlimited resource. Remember running through the sprinkler or playing with the hose on a hot summer day? Those simple pleasures aren't an option for kids anymore. Drought and population growth have stressed water resources to the limit. Communities across America are issuing watering restrictions and bans. Whether our concern is for our own withering landscape, devastated agricultural crops or global warming, water shortages are a wake up call.

Unfortunately, in their haste to solve the problem, city governments often view plants as water thirsty culprits. When municipalities ban landscape irrigation, the subsequent damage to plants costs the environment, homeowners, and businesses much more than aesthetic enjoyment.

The very plants and trees damaged or destroyed by watering bans moderate the effects of harsh climatic conditions. Trees absorb as much as 85 percent of the sun's direct heat, and reduce power demand by as much as 59 percent. Temperatures around grassy areas are about 25 degrees cooler than around dead grass or concrete "heat islands." A healthy lawn cools a building at the same rate as a one-ton air conditioner. One tree removes 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air every year and releases about 13 pounds of oxygen--enough for a family of four on a daily basis.

If environmental factors aren't enough, consider a few economic incentives to keeping landscapes alive. Homes with attractive landscaping sell five to six weeks faster than ones with unappealing landscapes. Ugly yards affect the bottom line. On average, these properties sell for nearly $10,000 less. Replacing landscaping that's been allowed to die costs around $8,000.

Policy makers who see plants only as high-volume water users often overlook these factors. In reality, landscaping accounts for a small amount of water consumption--single digit percentages in most communities. So, even aggressive restrictions yield little benefit in water savings.

While no one welcomes a water shortage, such hardships challenge us to become resourceful. Common sense conservation now could prevent a water crisis later. Conservation begins with small steps: shutting off the water while brushing our teeth, repairing leaks, installing inexpensive water-saving devices in our homes. Around the yard, Water Wise gardening cuts maintenance by half through reduced mowing; once-a-year mulching; elimination of weak, unadapted plants; and better watering techniques.

Education and voluntary conservation are superior alternatives to reactionary restrictions. Quick fixes--cutting off water to landscapes--are not the answer.

Sincerely,
(your name)