 | Local water sources such as lakes, reservoirs and groundwater
continue to decline despite regular rain events. |
| Demand is becoming greater than the supply and the rains that do
fall on our ground are lost. |
| Rainwater is actually flowing away from the area it falls on due
to development. |
| Water cannot soak into asphalt, concrete or shingles. It flows
very quickly off of these surfaces and in the process it carries a
variety of pollutants from dust and dirt to oils, fertilizers and
pesticides. |
| This mixture flows quickly into storm sewers and in some cases,
ponds and streams. |
| Highly developed areas can have 50% or more surface area covered
by impervious surfaces forcing water away from the area where it’s
needed. |
| Increased water velocity strips the aquatic vegetation from the
shores exposing the soil to subsequent erosion and habitat loss. |
| According to the EPA, urban runoff is the number one cause of
pollution in coastal environments. |
| Almost 50% of our stream miles, 45% of lake acres and 35% of
estuary and bay square miles surveyed by the EPA are considered
below the standards for fishing and swimming. |
| As rainwater run-off is carried away it does not have the
opportunity to soak into the soil or groundwater reserves so our
aquifers continue to lose water and new water is not coming in. |
| Wells throughout the country are going dry or have to be lowered
to access the lower water levels. |
| One inch of rainfall on a 2,000 square foot residential roof
generates 1,250 gallons of water that can be reused. |
| That same roof in a region receiving 30 inches of annual rainfall
generates 41,000 gallons of reusable water. |
| The average U.S. household with a 10,000 square foot lot uses up
to 3,000 gallons of water weekly for landscape irrigation. |
| Running a sprinkler for 2 hours can use up to 500 gallons of
water. |
| Seventy percent of water used at home is used outdoors. |
| 66,175 gallons of water are used outdoors per household, per year. |
