Welcome to H20 Weekly

Welcome to H2O News

Issue # 020:

H2O News is an on-line publication that announces publications, policies, and activities about the world's water on a weekly basis. Articles or headings are followed by links that will take you to the complete article you are interested in.

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New Water Events

1. Sprinkling Regulations – Do they work? By Lorne Haveruk
2. Water Use Facts
3. What is Eco-efficiency, Ecological Landscape, and Sustainable Design?

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1. Sprinkling Regulations – Do they work? By Lorne Haveruk

If watering restrictions are to work they must take into account all the players. This regulation demonstrates one focused on hand watering. Why, when facts demonstrate that a professionally designed, installed and managed high efficiency irrigation system is far superior in delivery the right amount of water at the right time in the right place (subsurface, point source, on surface low volume). Is their any consideration being given to those who have insisted on an efficient irrigation system? What about the fast growing trend of reuse water? Are all irrigators regardless if they use water efficiently to be thrown into the same hat? For watering restrictions to work – include all the players in the discussion.

Lorne Haveruk

Vancouver, BC

Lawn sprinkling regulations

What is the purpose?
The regulations restrict lawn sprinkling during the summer months to manage demand for drinking water. The Lawn Sprinkling Regulations have been in place since 1993 and are part of the regional Water Shortage Response Plan that mostly outlines measures to reduce demand for outdoor use.
http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/water/sprinkling-regulations.htm

When do they take effect?

Effective from June 1 to September 30
Sprinkling allowed between 4-9 am & 7-10 pm
Even-numbered addresses: Wednesday & Saturday
Odd-numbered addresses: Thursday & Sunday

Lawn Sprinkling Regulations Media Release
Lawn Sprinkling Regulations brochure
Lawn Sprinkling Regulations Advertisement - English
Lawn Sprinkling Regulations Advertisement - Chinese
Lawn Sprinkling Regulations Advertisement - Punjabi

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2. Water Use Facts

Fast Facts: Vancouver, BC

Every day, we turn on our taps without thinking about where the water comes from, what effort it takes to get it to our homes and businesses, and how much of it we use. Our water is collected from rainfall, snowmelt, creeks and streams in the mountains of the region's watersheds, and flows to us through an enormous network of reservoirs, pumping stations and mains.

- On an average day, approximately 580 L of water per day is used by each person at home and at work (this amount includes all residential, industrial, commercial, institutional, and agricultural sectors).

- Average daily water consumption for the region is about one billion litres. The one-day record for consumption is two billion litres - enough to fill BC Place stadium. (Vancouver, BC)

http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/water/index.htm

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3. What is Eco-efficiency, Ecological Landscape, and Sustainable Design?

Eco-efficiency is based on the idea of doing more with less. According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, “it means creating more goods and services with ever less use of resources, waste and pollution”.

A business can improve its eco-efficiency by implementing the following practices:
- minimize material use
- maximize energy efficiency
- replace the use of toxic substances
- enhance recyclability
- maximize use of renewables
- enhance product durability
- offer a service instead of a product
www.wbcsd.org

Ecological Landscape

Lawns, ornamental shrubs and trees, often poorly adapted to difficult urban conditions, have for many years dominated urban landscape design. To survive, these landscapes require high levels of maintenance, irrigation, fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. These not only increase the cost of ownership, but pollute stormwater runoff and provide little or no habitat for local wildlife.

Ecologically based landscape design can change this pattern. It considers a region’s water flows, climate, open spaces, native vegetation, wildlife and existing urban development. Understanding the ecology of the region helps when working with the needs of a specific site design, including its solar access, wind patterns, topography, rainfall and drainage patterns, the preservation of existing vegetation and unique features of the site.

http://www.greenbuildings.santa-monica.org/landscape/landscape.html

Building design practices based on the principles of sustainability emphasize the efficient use of energy, water and materials, and focus on the prevention of environmental degradation associated with buildings and infrastructure.

Sustainable design integrates a man made structure with the natural environment and takes advantage of synergies that exist between the structure and its surroundings. This can reduce a building's reliance on mechanical and lighting systems, lowering capital costs and creating operational savings throughout the life of the building.

Sustainable design also emphasizes the relationship between the building occupants and the workspace, working to create an indoor environment that is safe, comfortable and productive. Construction materials are evaluated based on their life cycle performance and the building as a whole is considered for its long term durability and adaptability.

Sustainable building design can be divided into six categories:
• Sustainable Site Selection and Design
• Water Efficiency
• Energy Performance
• Material Selection
• Indoor Environmental Quality
• Design Process

http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/buildsmart/design-practices.htm

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Thanks for reading! If you have suggestions or ideas for articles send them along.

Lorne Haveruk C.I.D., C.I.C., C.L.I.A
Editor, H20 News
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