World Water Day: Shaping L.A.'s Water-Smart Future
The United Nations dubbed March 22 as World Water Day to build momentum around solutions for the water and sanitation crisis. Their 2023 Be the Change campaign encourages people to take steps in their everyday lives to change the way they use, consume, and handle water.
What can this look like for Angelenos? Los Angeles, with its sunny weather and beaches, is no stranger to water scarcity issues. With climate change bringing more frequent and prolonged droughts, it’s now even more important that L.A. develops effective ways to conserve this precious resource.
The City of Los Angeles has launched multiple projects to tackle the ongoing water shortage, such as the Sustainable City pLAn, which has set ambitious goals for reducing water consumption, boosting the use of recycled water, and enhancing stormwater capture. The city has also introduced a handful of other mandatory water restrictions and incentives for residents.
Innovative technologies and approaches can further help conserve water and ensure a clean, reliable supply for Angelenos. The city and its citizens should work together to consider implementing these strategies:
Greywater Recycling: Greywater, or water from sources such as sinks, showers, and washing machines, can be treated and reused for toilet flushing, irrigation, and other non-potable purposes. This process can help households significantly reduce their potable water consumption.
Rainwater Collection: Capturing and storing rainwater from rooftops and similar surfaces allows people to use the water collected for tasks for non-potable activities, such as watering plants. This reduces the demand for drinking water and also helps manage stormwater runoff, decreasing the likelihood of flooding and pollution.
Smart Irrigation Technology: Intelligent irrigation systems monitor soil moisture levels and adjust water usage, which enables landscapes to receive exactly the amount of water they need without wasting water or producing running off.
Efficient home appliances: High-performance showers, faucets, toilets, and washing machines can significantly reduce household water consumption and lower utility bills.
Public education efforts: Motivating people to practice water-conserving habits like taking shorter showers and quickly fixing leaks can make a significant difference in overall conservation efforts.
With the mounting pressures of water shortages and global warming, L.A. must invest in creative solutions and adopt sustainable practices that protect our water sources.
While World Water Day is an annual initiative, Los Angeles faces a water crisis year-round.
Implementing water conservation plans and using innovative technologies can ensure enough clean and dependable water for all Angelenos, now and for generations to come.
This blog post was originally written for Surfrider LA.