Water Conservation and the 2012 Drought
By the Bloomington Water/Wastewater Group
As the weather begins to cool and fall continues into its second week, the
abnormally hot and dry summer still lingers in the minds of many. Although some
areas of the country have received some relief, more than 64% of the country is
still experiencing moderate drought conditions or worse, according to the U.S.
Drought Monitor. These conditions are expected to persist, especially in the
Midwest and Western United States.
By the Bloomington Water/Wastewater Group
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| NOAA Seasonal Drought Outlook |
This summer’s drought encouraged many municipalities to take a close
look at their current water resources and infrastructure. For some, this
examination was prompted by a large increase of water main breaks. Others saw
their water reservoirs and resources quickly diminishing due to the lack of
rain and record hot temperatures. However, there are many preventative measures
that municipalities, water systems and even wastewater systems can take to conserve
water and mitigate the effects of future droughts.
Aging infrastructure exacerbates common issues a water system could
face during a drought. A good master plan with capital improvements that
replace parts of the aging system is effective in promoting water conservation
and improving conditions during a drought. A potential increase in capacity can also be
investigated in certain components of the water system, including the pumps,
treatment and storage. A capacity
increase can alleviate some of the stress placed upon water resources during
times of little or no rain.
