Cleanlink News January 23 2009
Survey: Water-Conservation Will Be Mandated
A survey concerning water-related issues in the United States conducted the first week of January 2009 indicates that all the respondents expect federal, state, and local governments to mandate new water conservation measures in the coming years.
In addition to new government mandates, 72 percent believe they will be paying 3 to 10 percent more for water and sewer charges in the next five years; 18 percent believe the charges will be even higher, more than 10 percent over current rates.
The survey also found the following:
• For more than 60 percent of respondents, the Internet is the main source of information on water-conservation issues
• For those seeking LEED certification, 40 percent believe the easiest and most effective way to reduce water use is by installing water-conserving toilets
• Asked what steps they are taking right now to conserve water, 35 percent indicate they are installing waterless urinals; 25 percent say they are putting in water-conserving faucets and toilets.
• More than 60 percent indicate they do not use recycled or “grey water” for landscaping or other nonpotable-water uses; however, those that do use recycled water use it mainly for watering plants and exterior landscaping.
“Although all expect more water-conserving mandates,” says Klaus Reichardt, Founder and Managing Partner of Waterless Co, “nearly all also believe conserving water is cost-effective in the long run. And the bulk of the respondents, 64 percent, add that [conserving water] is simply ‘the right thing to do.’”
Conducted by Waterless Co LLC, approximately 900 managers of office and school buildings were invited to participate in the survey with 103 responding. The survey has a “confidence rating” of 95 percent, indicating that even if there were more responses, the results would likely be the same, plus or minus 5 percent.
