A Water-Wise Industry

Six months ago, when GPN ran a 3-part series on water conservation, I had no idea it would lead to Salt Lake City, Utah. But here I am, sitting in a cozy hotel room, watching the Raiders take a beating and waiting for tomorrow's start of the Utah Green Conference. I've been invited to speak for four hours about the Federal Clean Water Act, water conservation measures and drought-tolerant plants. And while I'm a little nervous about having to fill such a large chunk of time, I'm excited to see that people are already preparing for what's ahead.

Because it is coming, drought, I mean. Long-range predictions for the state of Utah, and for more than 30 other states, show below- to significantly below-average rainfall. And that's on top of what, for many states, has been a succession of two, three, even four dry years.

But the people of Utah are getting ready. Over half of the sessions at the 3-day conference are focused on irrigation, water conservation or other drought-preparation topics. And if what I saw earlier today is any indication, attendees are really looking forward to these sessions. They're not just here for the new variety or increasing profit topics that look so sexy in brochures. My very dry, introductory talk has even been placed in a room that seats 100 people, and organizers expect it to fill up.

Get Wacky

Are you wondering if their thin air at 4,000 feet has made that group out there in Utah just a bit wacky? I hope not, but I have to admit that I'm a little worried -- not that they're all wacky, but that the rest of us are not wacky enough. That is, if being prepared is wacky.

Over the past few months, I've been in greenhouses from Florida to Illinois, and I've seen lots of wasted water. Dripping microtubes, thoroughly watered walkways and lots and lots of irrigation-water puddles. With so much good, fresh water being so often wasted, I'm convinced that many operations are contributing to water shortages.

Sound like your greenhouse? Don't worry, I won't tell, but the time is quickly approaching when annual restrictions will be the least of your problems. The Federal Clean Water Act will necessitate that everyone move to closed irrigation systems and water-conscious municipalities will start asking the hard questions of those they perceive as heavy water users. "How much fresh water do you use each day for irrigation?" "What water-saving measures do you have in place?" I know growers, outside of California, that have already been asked these questions, and they didn't have the answers. In front of state-level legislators who were ready to support their position, they didn't have answers. When they left, they also didn't have the special waiver they were seeking that would have exempted them from water restrictions.

A Good Example

Take heart. My warnings aren't meant to discourage but to motivate. And to prove it, I'll give you an example of what a well-informed, proactive industry can accomplish. In preparing for my talk on water conservation, I ran across some information about how Virginia's car wash industry battled last year's water restrictions. We could take a lesson or two from them.

In case you don't know, the drought in Virginia last summer was the worst on record. Before it was over, cities across the state were banning lawn and landscape watering, fleet washing and any other high water-usage activities. Some green goods companies were even told not to maintain their stock, but the self-serve car wash industry operated relatively untouched. The difference? Long before restrictions were put into place, car wash owners and industry representatives had educated state and local government officials about both their water-wise practices and their economic impact. So while our industry suffered, self-serve car washes were praised as community leaders. Go figure. Even if they do reuse the majority of their water, as claimed, it still seems like a waste. But, then again, I've never been a car-washer.

Regardless, the fruits of this industry's initiative should inspire us to start working against water restrictions for our industry -- if it's not already too late. By the time you read this, spring will be right around the proverbial corner for many states, so the opportunity is passing. Still, some time, a few water meters and a bit of luck seem like an investment we can afford.