A good explanation of why it's important to save water

Over the past few years, the NSRWA has gotten more deeply involved in issues of water quantity in our watershed communities. Between our work in the First Herring Brook trying to balance municipal and ecological water demand, to the 5th grade watershed education program, to the current Greenscapes Water Use Challege, we're trying to get the word out that saving water is important to our local streams and rivers.

The staff here are occasionally asked why it's important to save water. After all, once the water gets used, doesn't it end up back in the water cycle somehow, either by evaporating or soaking back into the ground? The key here is balance. In many cases, water is getting used in excess quantities a) at times of year when there is not as much water available (i.e. summer) b) in ways that do not replenish groundwater and surface water supplies.

This recent article from Slate does a great job of explaining why it's important to save water and reduce certain types of usage. After you read it, think about how you can reduce your own water usage, and keep an eye out for the NSRWA's various initiatives regarding water conservation.