In drought stricken areas, local governments are doing everything they can to protect their precious water resources. Many are encouraging local residents who turn in other individuals who are commonly being referred to as “water wasters”. The fact is, more people use water unnecessarily than many realize and they do it without being aware of the ramifications. Encouraging individuals to turn in water wasters not only protects our limited water supply but also educates the public as to what water wasting really is and how it affects the environment.
Drought Shaming
There are several ways in which water is wasted. A few include serving water without it being requested, washing cars, watering lawns within 2 days of rainfall and using garden hoses that don't have a shut off valve at the nozzle. Drought shaming is basically turning in individuals or home owners who are often times the first to notice the wasting of water.
One of the biggest ways homeowners contribute to the problem is trying to keep their lawns looking nice and complying with the regulations of their homeowner's association. Using hoses that cannot be turned off or controlled at the nozzle are extremely wasteful. Neighbors are the first to notice these types of indiscretions and can easily turn in their neighbors.
Keeping Your Lawn Lush Without Fear of Being Reported
Homeowners have many options available to them to help keep their lawns looking green and lush without violating local water restriction laws. It is important to know and understand the laws that are in effect in each particular neighborhood. Know when it is allowable to water your lawn or irrigate your garden.
With the right type of grass, a proper watering schedule and different types of landscaping techniques, a homeowner can keep their lawn looking fresh and green even during drought conditions. During severe drought conditions where all watering is prohibited, many landscaping companies sell a special paint that can be applied to a lawn to make the grass look greener than it actually is.
Being Proactive
Homeowners can also be proactive when it comes to keeping their lawns green. Planting drought resistant varieties is one of the most efficient ways of keeping lawns green in drought conditions. If a homeowner has the financial means and is wanting to invest in the future value of their property, they can replace their natural grass lawn with artificial turf. There is little to no maintenance and no risk of incurring water violations for unnecessary use.
Artificial turf remains uniform in color and height at all times without mowing, watering and trimming. A synthetic lawn does not require any chemical support in the way of fertilizers or herbicides. In order to keep natural grass lawns looking green and lush, taking control of weeds and providing additional nutrients for growth is important. The problem with constantly applying harsh chemicals is that what isn't used, leaches into the ground eventually contaminating our ground water supply.
Drought shaming is one of the best ways to control water waste. Local law enforcement agencies rely on the help of residents to control unnecessary water usage. They understand that residents worry about being recognized as someone who reports others and take steps to keep their identities completely confidential. Most tip lines do not require callers to provide any personal information, only information pertaining to the person being reported for water wasting.
While many people look at drought shaming as a form of “snitching”, local law enforcement and environmental agencies look at it as a way of caring for our precious, natural resources. Once the area's water supply has been depleted or contaminated the devastating results are irreversible.
