Water, despite being a fundamental need, is often taken for granted. However, as climate change and various human activities continue to impact our environment, it’s becoming increasingly critical to conserve this most essential resource. In this context, Tacoma’s water conservation efforts offer a prime example.
Tacoma residents rely on the Green River Watershed as their primary source of drinking water. For decades, Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) has been the custodian of the watershed, ensuring a year-round supply of clean and safe drinking water to the community[^1^]. Still, the city has been putting in impressive efforts not just to ensure access to clean water, but also to use it responsibly.
Why is Water Conservation Important?
The need for water conservation has never been more pressing. Developments across the globe have caused water scarcity in many places, leading to catastrophic environmental and human damage.
In addition to the moral and ecological imperatives, there’s also an economic aspect to water conservation. It can help us defer costly expansions of water treatment facilities, reduce the energy needed to process and deliver water, thus reducing greenhouse gases, and lower our water bills, thereby saving money at both individual and societal levels.
Moreover, conserving water can extend the life of our septic systems by reducing soil saturation, and reduce pollution from overflows in municipal sewer systems[^2^].
How Does Tacoma Conserve Water?
Tacoma Public Utilities, together with the City’s Environmental Services’ Surface Water and Solid Waste, actively educates its residents about the importance of water conservation and provides resources and programs to help them save water.
Water-Smart Workshops
TPU offers a series of free water-smart workshops that teach Tacoma residents water-efficient landscape designs, irrigation methods, and rainwater harvesting techniques. Additionally, it also includes learning about creating a healthy lawn and garden that can resist drought and utilizes lesser water.
Rebate Programs
TPU offers various rebate programs to promote water conservation. For instance, the utility offers rebates to customers who replace older, high-water-use plumbing fixtures with newer, water-efficient models. These include high-efficiency toilets, clothes washers, and irrigation system controllers[^3^].
Schools Program
Tacoma’s water conservation efforts extend to its school community as well. Through the Public Utilities’ School Education Program, students in local K-12 classrooms get to learn about the water cycle, local water sources, wastewater treatment, stormwater pollution, and the importance of conserving water.
Future Perspective
In the face of growing urbanization and population growth, the City of Tacoma recognizes the importance of prudent water use. It has embarked on a mission to ensure water service reliability, quality, and affordability for its residents well into the future.
Lastly, remember that preserving water is a shared responsibility. Achieving the city’s water conservation goals will depend as much on the efforts of neighbors, businesses, and visitors as it does on the utility’s activities.
Let’s value this life-giving resource and play our part in mitigating the water scarcity crisis by integrating smart water-use habits into our everyday lives. As we move forward, let’s bear in mind that every drop counts!
[^1^]: “Source Water Protection.” Tacoma Public Utilities. Link
[^2^]: “Why is it important to conserve water?” USGS Water Science School. Link
[^3^]: “Water Conservation Programs.” City of Tacoma Link
