© 2007 Wendy Dager

The documentary film “The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry” (http://www.runningdry.org) gives a thought-provoking perspective on that which the average Southern California homeowner often doesn’t consider: how climate change, population growth, and his own water usage are affecting the planet.

The film is inspired by the book “Tapped Out: The Coming World Crisis in Water and What We Can Do About It,” by former United States Senator Paul Simon. Its goal is “for all people to have access to safe, affordable and sustainable drinking water and adequate sanitation in an attempt to save lives now and to ensure a healthy tomorrow for the future residents of the earth.”

Written, directed and produced by Jim Thebaut, with the collaboration of The California Water Association, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and Southern Nevada Water Authority, the film seeks to offer awareness about the water crisis in the Southwest, and includes concerns about the Colorado River, from which much of Southern California gets its water.

Of course, it’s not just documentarians, environmentalists and landscapers who are contemplating the fate of California’s water supply. The state government is also seeking ways to conserve. According to the 2005 document “California’s Water-Energy Relationship,” prepared by the California Energy Commission, “Water-related energy consumes 19 percent of the state’s electricity, 30 percent of its natural gas and 88 billion gallons of diesel fuel every year.” While this 180-page report is quite complex, its conclusion came down to two generalized recommendations: 1. Save energy by saving water. 2. Reduce water system net power requirements.

The more detailed solutions given in this report focus mostly on creating more efficient waste-water treatment facilities. Still, consumer use of water must be—and always is—taken into consideration when discussing conservation techniques.

“Often, the recommendation of governmental agencies is to tell everyone to take out the lawn,” said S&S Seeds’ Paul Albright. “The problem is that if a lawn is replaced by a dry landscape, such as a xeriscape or gravel or plastic grass, there’s the serious problem of stormwater runoff leading to erosion and pollution.”

S&S Seeds recommends the use of native turfgrasses in housing developments, parks, golf courses and other areas that are aesthetically enhanced by going green, but also achieve the added benefit of water efficiency and absorption of stormwater. Even the Web site of “The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry” recommends the use of native plants in a tip sheet acquired from the Web site of the Mono Lake Committee (http://www.monolake.org; see table below).

Water Conservation Tips Ten Ways that Will Save the Most Water your lawn only when it needs it. Step on your grass. If it springs back, when you lift your foot, it doesn't need water. So set your sprinklers for more days in between watering. Saves 750-1,500 gallons per month. Better yet, especially in times of drought, water with a hose. And best of all, convert your lawn to native plants. (Editor’s Note: S&S Seeds would add locally-adapted native grasses to this tip.) Fix leaky faucets and plumbing joints. Saves 20 gallons per day for every leak stopped. Don't run the hose while washing your car. Use a bucket of water and a quick hose rinse at the end. Saves 150 gallons each time. For a two-car family that's up to 1,200 gallons a month. Install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors. Saves 500 to 800 gallons per month. Run only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher. Saves 300 to 800 gallons per month. Shorten your showers. Even a one or two minute reduction can save up to 700 gallons per month. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. Saves 150 gallons or more each time. At once a week, that's more than 600 gallons a month. Don't use your toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket. Saves 400 to 600 gallons per month. Capture tap water. While you wait for hot water to come down the pipes, catch the flow in a watering can to use later on house plants or your garden. Saves 200 to 300 gallons per month. Don't water the sidewalks, driveway or gutter. Adjust your sprinklers so that water lands on your lawn or garden where it belongs--and only there. Saves 500 gallons per month. —Reprinted with permission of the Mono Lake Committee, http://www.monolake.org.

“The native turf option is the more feasible alternative because its infiltration rates are second only to that of a rainforest,” said Paul. “We recommend planting summer dormant grasses such as San Diego bentgrass, Idaho fescue and Molate Red fescue.”

For more information about our turfgrasses and other low-water use plants, call us at (805) 684-0436 or check out our searchable database at http://www.ssseeds.com/database. S&S Seeds is committed to helping our customers and the state of California meet its water conservation goals.

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