Scary Water Shortage!
Today, Jack Devetten, The Professor of Plumbing, is addressing three issues that are showing up in the media daily. He is going give insights about the coming scary water shortage and explain the consequences unless we all do our part to help save the snowpack and glaciers.
This has been made clear on the news, on social media, and in government agencies. All talking climate change, drought, and a looming water shortage crisis. Those of us who have lived in the Calgary area for a long time can agree that the amount of snow accumulation in the higher elevations of the mountains is significantly less. And that the snow seems to disappear more quickly and much sooner than before.
And if you are active and spend any time out in the bush. Like camping, hiking, biking, or just for a drive along a river. You will notice that the lakes, streams, and reservoirs are not as full of water as they used to be last summer. They were low in all locations.
Drought
Another term we have heard for years is the lack of rain in the spring and summer months. For example, warmer temperatures and less moisture have put a strain on our glaciers. They are receding at an accelerated rate now compared to in the past. It does not matter what opinions we may have; the fact still is that our water supply has changed and will continue to change in the future.
Scary Water Shortage and How It Affects Us
In the not-so-distant future, if our amount of fresh water continues to decline, the powers to be in our cities will have no choice but to impose water use restrictions on everyone. The City of Calgary imposed restrictions last year. They amounted to minor inconveniences for a time, yet they affected everyone. Here are five restrictions that will hurt if imposed for an extended period.
- Watering your lawn and garden
- How often and the length of time you shower.
- How frequently and how often you wash your dishes.
- Washing your car and driveway
- How often you flush your toilet or wash your hands.
Restriction 1 and 4 were briefly in effect last year. Restriction 2, 3, and 5 are the next-level restrictions we will see.
Save the Snowpack!
Not any one person or group of people can save the snowpack. However, we can all do our part to control how we use this precious resource. All we need to do is look into the water usage in our home and start from there. You can do this without breaking the bank. Appliances and fixtures that use water.
- Showerheads
- Dishwashers
- Washing machines
- The taps on your sinks, bathtubs, and showers
- Exterior water taps and fixtures.
- Gas hot water heaters, and toilets
- Humidifiers attached to your furnace.
Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance is essential to saving water and the longevity of your fixtures and appliances. These appliances and fixtures have washers, seals, valves, or fittings that will wear out and start to leak.
Consider upgrading fixtures like high-volume toilets to more economical low-flush toilets. And gas hot water heaters can save a significant amount of water.
Dripping taps on sinks, tubs, showers, and the notorious slow-leaking toilet are the biggest culprits that lead to inefficient water usage. Slab leak is the king of leaks, because it inolves the plumbing under the founadtion slab of your home. We often ignore the drips and leaks because they seems insignificant, but these drips waste thousands of gallons of water yearly. Wasting our water resources and hundreds of dollars a year on your water bill and energy bills. Saving that kind of money in a year and reinvesting the savings in regular maintenance and efficient upgrades will help to conserve our water resources and become a win-win scenario for everyone. And the environment.
Action Needed Now!
Now, if what you have read here makes sense, and presently are having issues with your taps, toilets, and gas hot water heaters. And any other plumbing water issues we mentioned. Then action is needed now!
We may not be able to save the snowpack, because Mother Nature will look after that as best as she can. But we can all do our part in making the best use of the water she gives us each year right where we live and be as efficient as we can with a resource none of us can do without. Partnering with a company that is just as committed to saving water and supplying reliable services and products makes sense.
Finally, when you partner with Ace Plumbing and Heating, you are doing your best to even save the snowpack. Call Today. It is your water.