One strategy in water conservation is rain water harvesting.[1] Digging ponds, lakes, canals, expanding the water reservoir, and installing rain water catching ducts and filtration systems on homes are different methods of harvesting rain water.[1] Harvested and filtered rain water could be used for toilets, home gardening, lawn irrigation, and small scale agriculture.[1] Another strategy in water conservation is protecting groundwater resources. When precipitation occurs some infiltrates the soil and goes underground.[2] Water in this saturation zone is called groundwater.[2] Contamination of groundwater causes the groundwater water supply to not be able to be used as resource of fresh drinking water and the natural regeneration of contaminated groundwater can takes years to replenish.[3] Some examples of potential sources of groundwater contamination include storage tanks, septic systems, uncontrolled hazardous waste, landfills, atmospheric contaminants, chemicals, and road salts.[3] Contamination of groundwater decreases the replenishment of available freshwater so taking preventative measures by protecting contamination of groundwater resources is an important aspect of water conservation.[1] An additional strategy to water conservation is practicing sustainable methods of utilizing groundwater resources.[1] Groundwater flows due to gravity and eventually discharges into streams.[2] Excess pumping of groundwater leads to a decrease in groundwater levels and if continued it can exhaust the resource.[1] Ground and surface waters are connected and overuse of groundwater can reduce and, in extreme examples, diminish the water supply of lakes, rivers, and streams.[3] In coastal regions, over pumping groundwater can increase saltwater intrusion which results in the contamination of groundwater water supply.[3] Sustainable use of groundwater is essential in water conservation. Another important component to water conservation strategy is communication and education outreach of different water programs.[4] Developing communication that educates science to land managers, policy makers, farmers, and the general public is another important strategy utilized in water conservation.[4] Communication of the science of how water systems work is an important aspect when creating a management plan to conserve that system and is often used for ensuring the right management plan to be put into action.[4]
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- ^ a b c d e f Kumar Kurunthachalam, Senthil (2014). "Water Conservation and Sustainability: An Utmost Importance". Hydrol Current Res.
- ^ a b c "Description of the Hydrologic Cycle". http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/rfc/. NOAA River Forecast Center.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ^ a b c d "Potential threats to Groundwater". http://www.groundwater.org/. The Groundwater Foundation.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ^ a b c Jorge A. Delgado, Peter M. Groffman, Mark A. Nearing, Tom Goddard, Don Reicosky, Rattan Lal, Newell R. Kitchen, Charles W. Rice, Dan Towery, and Paul Salon (2011). "Conservation Practices to Mitigate and Adapt to Climate Change". Journal of Soil and Water Conservation.
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