Trends

  • Rising Cost of Water Conservation
    06.11.13

    Water Conservation Leads to Water Rate Increases

    Chuck Bowen, the editor for Lawn and Landscape magazine emailed me a link to an article titled “Inside Portland’s rising utility rates: Less water consumption means higher prices” and posed two questions about water conservation efforts. Landscape contractors and water managers have traditionally billed their water conservation services as a cost-saving measure: “Let us fix your irrigation system and you’ll save on your water bills!” If I’m reading this correctly, that might not be the case… Do you know if... MORE >

  • Happy Anniversary!
    06.07.13

    Happy Anniversary!

    Two years ago we launched ValleyCresttakeson.com and it has been amazing how many people helped make a difference in water conservation.  Thank you to all of you who have shared your expertise, contributed ideas, and helped raise awareness about water.  We couldn’t have done it without you. Most of the work on the blog is done after hours, and most of our subscribers read the blog after hours. This is not just our work; it is our passion and a... MORE >

  • Flames on the surface of the Cuyahoga River caused by combustion of pollutants.
    05.16.13

    The Clean Water Act – Four Decades On

    We are today in an era of perpetual governmental gridlock.  This has not always been the case.  In 1972 legislators on both sides of the isle had the courage to do what was right and not merely politically expedient.  It was then that the U.S. Congress enacted The Clean Water Act (CWA). To pull this off, Congress had to go beyond a simple majority to muster sufficient votes to overcome Richard Nixon’s initial veto of the act.  The President’s veto was brought on by his concerns over the... MORE >

  • U.S. Drought Monitor map from April 23, 2013 showing western impact.
    05.08.13

    How Water In The West Impacts Everyone

    This is going to be the third consecutive year of drought in the West and we are feeling an impact. The water source in Colorado’s Front Range is in short supply. 100 percent of the state is experiencing some level of drought, snowpack is at 70 percent of the long-term average and just 91 percent of last year’s total. Local experts say the water situation is worse than 2002 when Colorado experienced severe drought conditions and widespread mandatory outdoor water... MORE >

  • Water Conservation Reality - Missing Towel
    04.18.13

    Water Conservation: Corporate Theory Meets Reality

    Many organizations “try” to be good environmental stewards when it comes to water conservation. A co-worker likes the saying, “There is no trying. There is only doing.” So what happens when the corporate theory meets the reality of the front line worker? As I write this post I am on my second of three trips for the month. Almost every hotel where I stay provides the guest with an option to use a bath towel more than once or to... MORE >

  • How much do you want to pay in electricity to waste water. An all too common sight in California this summer.
    04.16.13

    Who Else Wants To Save Energy?

    By now we’re all pretty well programmed to conserve electricity. Turn off the lights, unplug appliances, don’t leave the refrigerator door open, etc. But we’re missing a really important point: the energy-water connection. Almost one fifth of California’s energy is used to move water.  Water conservation and water management are becoming vital to energy conservation.   Nearly 75%  of the state’s rainfall occurs in Northern California, while  75% of the agricultural and urban water use is in Central and Southern... MORE >

  • Managing water properly leads to clean water for everyone to enjoy.
    04.09.13

    Managing Water – A Limited Opportunity

    In October a print version of  this post was written and published in Lawn & Landscape Magazine under the title of  “The Future of Water.” The response was so positive we are posting it here. What’s the issue? Every second the urban population grows by two people.  Fifty percent of the world’s population lives in cities of 10 million people or more.  According to the Global Environmental Outlook water withdrawals are predicted to increase by 50 percent by 2025 in... MORE >

  • Photo from charity:water
    04.04.13

    All I Want For My 30th Birthday Is Clean Water

    It’s hard to believe today is my 30th birthday. I don’t usually ask for presents, but this year I’ve decided to make an exception. I’m asking all my friends and family to donate to charity: water and give clean water to people who need it, instead of giving me gifts. I may not know you, but I’m going to ask anyway – Want to celebrate with me? I mean, April is also Earth Month AND Water Awareness Month, so you... MORE >

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