Water Conservation and Real Estate Management

Water conservation. How important is it? After all, humans have been consuming water for many millennia and yet, somehow we still haven’t run out. The water we drink is the same water the dinosaurs drank oh, so long ago. And as far as we can tell, the oceans aren’t shrinking. So why all the hype about conservation? Is it really necessary?

First, let’s take a look at the facts about water shortage, and then we’ll discuss reasons we should conserve water.

Is There a Water Shortage?

According to the website Fresh Water Watch, “Only 2.5% of all the water on Earth is fresh water and more than 97% is saltwater. Of this 2.5% of fresh water, more than two-thirds (68.7%) is frozen as snow and ice, and more than one-third is stored below ground as ground water. This means that only 0.3% of all fresh water on the planet is readily available as surface water in lakes, swamps, rivers and streams (Gleick, P. H., 1996: Water resources. In Encyclopedia of Climate and Weather).”

OK, so that changes things a bit. Sure, the oceans are full, but we can only consume fresh water and desalination, although possible, is really expensive. Now we’ve narrowed our availability to less than one percent of all of the water on earth. Wow. Next, let’s factor in that water is used for more than just human consumption. After all, every living thing needs water to survive. We also use water for agriculture, domestic use (cleaning and waste disposal), and industries such as manufacturing and power generation. As our population grows, so does the demand for fresh water.

Does this mean that we are running out of water? No. We have the same amount of water now as the dinosaurs did when they roamed the earth. However, the problem is both availability and cost. Not everyone lives where fresh water is readily available. The rain and snow falls where it wants to, not necessarily where it’s needed. That means there is a cost, not only in transporting the water where it’s needed, but in purifying it in the first place.

Why Is Water Conservation Needed?

Now you’re wondering: Why should I conserve water when you’re telling me that we aren’t running out of it? It’s simple. We can’t live without it. That’s why water conservation involves more than just turning off your tap while you’re brushing your teeth. It means protecting the fresh water we already have by not polluting it with fertilizers, harmful chemicals, and other pollutants. Let’s face it, it’s much easier to prevent pollution than it does to purify contaminated water.

It also means keeping money where it belongs…in your pocket. You may not be “wasting” water when you let the faucet run because it just goes back into the hydrologic cycle. But you’re wasting money, and you’re wasting energy (which costs money). Yes, it takes energy to move water from one place (a lake or a river) to another (a water purification plant and then finally to your home).

The good news is, conserving water isn’t really all that difficult. There are some easy, affordable ways to reduce your water consumption by more than half, thereby conserving water and your bank account balance. Here’s a great article discussing water conservation tips for the area of the home that consumes the most water – the bathroom. What do you think? Is water conservation important to you?

Water Conservation and Real Estate Management

Now let’s talk about a couple of products from Niagara Corporation, that Southern Energy Solutions offers the real estate and property management company. We offer the Stealth Toilet, Niagara Low Flow Shower Head and the Niagara Low Flow Aerator.

As an example, this quote from their website explains how the U-HET (Ultra High Efficiency Toilet) Stealth Toilet works and how you can visualize the savings and water conservation: A patented siphonic flush system uses vacuum-assisted technology to move air through an air transfer tube during each flush and refill, while strategically positioned rim wash holes add to the flushing power and make cleaning easier. And on top of everything, it gets the job done silently in one fell swoop, meaning your days of double flushing are over.

The realized savings are 35% vs 1.28 gallon  50% vs 1.6 gallon and 78% vs 3.5 gallon

Southern Energy Solutions can perform the installation within on a 50 mile radius of Atlanta MSA for $225. The minimum quantity requirement is 25. The installation includes removal and disposal of existing old toilets, new U-HET Stealth Toilet, Toilet Seat, New Niagara Low Flow Shower Head and New Low Flow Aerator. If you are outside the Greater Atlanta area please contact us today to discuss options.

Summary

With ever changing weather patterns across the United States, property management and real estate professionals serve their assets and their community well by investigating into water conservation options. Especially when the overall initial investment and return is far more realistic then it was a few years ago.

To learn more about this technology and how it can help your multifamily property and/or real estate asset, please contact us today.

Thank you in advance for sharing this article with your network of professionals.