Facts About Drought

Conservation and drought are not black-and-white issues that can be settled merely by restricting water.

Published November 05, 2001

In our complex society, conservation and drought are not black-and-white issues that can be settled merely by restricting water use. Communities need to understand the value of water and begin to discuss how to use it differently - including the long-term cost and benefits of community-wide water recycling.

In the short term, decision-makers like you will find that being able to dispel misconceptions about water conservation and replacing them with facts is a powerful tool as you go about persuading your community to adopt sensible approaches to drought.

FACTS ABOUT DROUGHT

  • Drought causes annual economic losses of $6-8 billion, more than the losses caused by floods ($2.41 billion) or hurricanes ($1.2-4.8 billion). (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration)
  • A garden hose is inefficient, because it spreads water unevenly. Watering in the heat of the day or in windy conditions wastes water, because it may evaporate or blow away.
  • Most established lawns, if allowed to go dormant during hot, dry weather, will rebound when rains return.
  • Using recycled water (treated to almost drinkable standards) on landscaping would save the United States enough fresh water in a year for everyone in New York City to take a 10-minute shower every day for 4 1/2 years.
  • A timed sprinkler system uses water efficiently, because it can be set to run overnight, when temperatures are coolest and the evaporation rate is lowest.
  • On a hot day, lawns will be 30 degrees cooler than nearby pavement, producing a moderating effect on the environment.
  • Landscaping can increase residential property values by 7 percent and add as much as 15 percent to the selling price of a home. (Gelman & Grey Research and Planning Services; Gallup Organization)
  • Water use - and waste - is determined more by people than by type of landscaping. A recent study found there was no appreciable difference between two similar-sized lawns, even though one homeowner used nearly 10 times more water than his neighbor.

    This information provided by the Irrigation Association.

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