Business View Magazine - September 2015

16 Business View - September 2015 Business View - September 2015 17 Opening Lines Debilitating Drought Focuses Attention on Measures to CurbWater Waste A debilitating drought plaguing many regions of the nation has Americans scrambling to save water, especially during the peak water usage months of summer. While the average family uses 320 gal- lons of water per day, water use in the summer can spike up to 1,000 gallons per day, primarily due to lawn and landscape care. Yet not all of that water winds up where intended. An estimated 50 percent of outdoor water is wast- ed, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Drought affected areas are implementing measures – including mandated water use reduc- tions – to rein in over-watering of lawns and other wasteful practices. “The drought has focused attention on outdoor wa- ter saving techniques, many of which are readily available and inexpensive,” said Steve Russell, vice president of plastics at the American Chemistry Council, which sponsors the Plastics Make it Pos- sible initiative. “Waterproof plastics enable many of the outdoor products that help cut back on water use and waste.” Plastics Make it Possible is sharing some tips on curbing outdoor water use and waste that can lead to substantial water savings. • Water the Roots, Not the Air: Compared to typical sprinklers, drip irrigation systems and plastic soaker hoses deliver water more conservatively to outdoor landscaping through flexible and durable plastic hoses. They can reduce evaporation and runoff and deliver water more directly to plants’ roots. Garden- ers often layer mulch over the soaker hose to fur- ther focus the water on the roots. • Retain the Rain: Make the most of infrequent rain- fall by installing a plastic rain barrel or two to collect and store water from gutters for later use. These durable containers (some are made with recycled plastics) last a long time even in harsh outdoor el- ements. Collecting rain helps cut back on outdoor water needs and helps reduce water bills. • Stop Watering the Lawn: Virtually eliminate land- scape watering by installing synthetic grass in all or parts of a lawn. Modern synthetic grass and lawns are similar to the synthetic turf that has been used for decades in sports stadiums. Each individ- ual blade of grass is made from durable plastics – sometimes even recycled plastics – to mimic the soft but sturdy texture of natural grass. This turf eliminates the need for watering, although it may need to be cleaned with a hose occasionally. • Evade Evaporation: Evaporation can rob swim- ming pools of lots of water, but plastic pool covers provide a barrier between the water and air to help reduce water lost to evaporation. Some covers even act as electricity-free solar water heaters by trap- ping heat from the sun, much like a greenhouse.