BeCause Water Interview with Doug Bennett
We recently talked to Doug Bennett of the Southern Nevada Water Authority about water sustainability and efficiency. He has worked to maximize water efficiency in one of the driest areas in the country, and knows a great deal about public water management.
BW: What is your best definition of water efficiency?
DB: Efficiency is simply getting the greatest work out of the smallest amount of water. Our sole focus has been on pushing our community to sustain a strong economy and quality of life while using less water. So many people think conservation means sacrifice, when it often only means doing something differently.
BW: Why do you think water sustainability doesn’t receive the same mainstream attention as “green energy”?
DB: Simply put, energy is more expensive and may have more appeal from a return on investment perspective. In most communities, the electric bill far outweighs the water bill. Furthermore, more federal incentives have been targeted at electric energy than water, despite the fact that reduced water use is one of the major ways to decrease our energy footprint. Pumping water is incredibly energy intensive. If the water is heated at home, or used by a customer who must pump it in a tall building, the energy footprint grows substantially. If the water goes down a drain, even more energy is spent in wastewater treatment.
BW: What are your Top 3 recommended household water efficiency installations to save water?
DB:
- Change your landscape style – The simplest way to maintain an attractive yard without an enormous water footprint is to use water-efficient plants, low-volume drip irrigation and a smart controller that monitors weather or soil conditions to water only as much as necessary.
- Wash smarter – New high efficiency machines use about one-third as much water as old-school top-loaders. Not only will you use less water, but you’ll save up to $100 annually on electricity and hot water.
- Tell your commode to hit the road – If your home was built before 1994 and you haven’t changed the toilets, you’re probably flushing 3.5 gallons or more five times per person per day.
BW: What would you say to people with the opinion that “We are a water-rich country, there should be no urgency in becoming more water efficient?”
DB: The drought of 2012 ought to be a wake up call to anyone that takes water for granted. Most water supply systems are built upon assumptions based on historic weather records. Water scarcity can come at any time to any region as a result of a shortage of infrastructure, a lack of natural precipitation, or even a court judgement. Being water efficient makes our communities more resilient.
BW: Any big events or projects in the works that you would like to inform the BeCauseWater.com readers about?
DB: The world’s largest conference for urban water efficiency is held annually in Las Vegas. The SNWA hosts WaterSmart Innovations (WSI) on a not-for-profit basis to bring together the world’s experts on water efficiency. This year’s WSI was held this past October 3-5, but you can visit www.WaterSmartInnovations.com to stay updated on future events.
We want to thank the Southern Nevada Water Authority and Doug Bennett for sharing his expertise with us. We look forward to building a smarter and more water efficient community for years to come.
