Tag Archive for: Water Conservation Series

great salt lake average water comparision

How Far Below Normal Is the Great Salt Lake’s Water Level Today?

A new analysis by Healthy Green Spaces Coalition measured how far the Great Salt Lake has fallen from its long-term historical baseline. The data shows a persistent gap between the lake's pre-2000 average and its modern reality that cannot be…

The Knowledge Gap Between Homeowners and Irrigation Specialists Is Worth 390 Billion Gallons a Year

By Steve Whitesell, Executive Editor Smart irrigation can save the average household with in-ground irrigation up to 15,000 gallons annually, when a certified specialist calibrates it to the property's soil, climate, and plant types. When…
why drip irrigation fails hero image
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Why Drip Irrigation Fails Many Homeowners

Contributors: Steve Whitesell, Debby Dunn, Darin Ayres, Drip irrigation promises precision water delivery and significant savings. It waters plant root zones directly, minimizes evaporation, and reduces runoff. In theory, it's the most efficient…
paper river colorado river divide of lower and upper basin water supply
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How Big Is the Gap Between Colorado River Promises and Actual Flow?

By Steve Whitesell The Law of the River promised more Colorado River water on paper than the river has ever consistently delivered. Over a century of flow records now shows that the river’s long‑term supply has consistently lagged behind…
heat islands and canopy

How Much Cooler Are the Greenest Neighborhoods?

Contributor: Steve Whitesell When you walk from a treeless block into a leafy one on a hot day, it feels cooler. In some cities, that gap can reach almost 4°F between concrete deserts and green neighborhoods. This new report from Healthy…
lawns with hidden water waste

Why Affluent Neighborhoods Use Outdoor Water Inefficiently

Affluent neighborhoods and HOA-managed properties should be conservation success stories. They have the resources for efficient systems, professional management, and regular maintenance. Instead, they're often the most inefficient. The problem…
the warm rain paradox
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Why a Wet Winter Can Still Leave the West at Risk of Drought?

Contributors: Steve Whitesell, Jon Meyer, Ph.D How can we get rain in the winter and still be at risk of a drought?  This is a paradox of sorts. A warm rain paradox.  A warm snow drought occurs when near-normal precipitation falls,…
Why Technical Fixes Work Best with Behavioral Change
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Why Technical Fixes Work Best with Behavioral Change

You can fix distribution uniformity, repair leaks, and install smart controllers. But if human behavior doesn't change, water waste continues. The uncomfortable truth: technology and infrastructure improvements only deliver savings when people…
Most Drought Resilient States

Which States Are The Most Drought Resilient?

A new report by Healthy Green Spaces Coalition estimated each U.S. state’s drought resilience. The data shows how vulnerable states are to droughts based on their residential and total water usage (including agricultural). The ranking is…
Water waste with controller settings
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Why Controllers Run on Summer Schedules All Year: Water Efficiency Roundup

Irrigation controller mismanagement and poor scheduling represent a massive opportunity for water efficiency that have nothing to do with equipment failure.  Research shows 30-60% of irrigation water is wasted, and inappropriate schedules…