Washington State could be facing a long, challenging summer.  Part of the state experienced high snow fall amounts in February, but other parts, like the Cascades and Southwest Washington, did not benefit from the same storms.  Spring heat has already been record-breaking and raises concerns related to reduced snowpack for the state—diminished water flow and wildfires. In a normal year, spring brings gradual warming and temperatures that allow for steady melting that nourishes that state’s streams and rivers; however, this spring has had temperatures more typical of the middle of summer and melting has occurred at a much higher rate.  […]

Although the weather for much of the U.S. has been more rainy than usual, the same cannot be said for the rest of the globe as many places are suffering through drought.  The varied weather only serves to highlight the “chance” factor in rainfall and the consequent effects on water availability across the globe.  No matter the current status for the U.S., the fact remains that the world is facing an ever-shrinking supply of water.  Many organizations are incorporating sustainability into their corporate goals; however, it may be the facilities that house these businesses that will lead the way toward […]

Rain barrels are not a new concept, although they are gaining popularity in many communities for several reasons.  The practice of collecting rain dates back as far as 2,000 years ago in Thailand and can be seen throughout history across the globe thereafter.[1]  Until recently water availability has been taken for granted; however, with water shortages facing many regions throughout the world, methods of conservation have become more prevalent.  There is another reason communities are encouraging the use of these barrels—overwhelmed sewer systems. In the metro Milwaukee area, one inch of rain is “equal to more than 7 billion gallons […]

On May 31, 2018, then Governor of California Jerry Brown signed two bills into law (AB 1668 and SB606) that impose a series of water mandates on indoor water use beginning in 2020.  From 2020 through 2025 the limit is established at 55 gallons per capita daily.  In 2025 through 2030, that limit drops to 52.5 gallons per day and in 2030 drops again to 50 gallons per day.  This final water limit is the same as the limit set in South Africa, a country known for its water shortages.  However, many argue that it is difficult to make the […]