Monthly Archives: October 2015

Sustainability

Workers and Markets Follow the Water

sedge-628370_640The lack of water caused by the California drought affects our food supply in more ways than just the ability to grow crops. It has had deep impact on the workers in this industry and the businesses that employ them. When the cost of water for a 10-acre farm parcel goes from $3,200 to $33,000 in one year, you’ve got a business problem. In 2013, the California agriculture industry employed about 349,000 people.

Currently, the San Joaquin valley is considered the salad bowl of the country. It provides one third of the fruit, nuts and produce we consume in the U.S. With more than 10 years of drought tendency, water has become so scarce and so expensive, landowners are considering what to do next. If the predicted El Nino doesn’t do enough to alleviate the drought situation, workers may have to leave California to follow the water to Washington State. Idaho or Oregon.

Farmers are also learning to become more adaptable and are learning about foreign markets – to maximize their investment in crops by exporting to other countries. China, a large importer of American produce, has become a factor in which crops live or die, because farmers need to consider how to squeeze the most profit out of their products.

“The overseas market is extremely important,” says Jesus Ramos, a farmer who owns 140 acres of mostly citrus trees in Terra Bella in Tulare County. “That dictates whether you can keep a crop going or not.”

California wasteland: Drought-sick farmers hope for relief

California has been experiencing drought conditions since 1999. The lack of rainfall and snowpack in the recent years has pushed farmers in the Central Valley to the edge. Farmers spend millions of their own savings to purchase emergency water to save crops, hoping the coming winter will bring rain to relieve the situation.

Read more at CNBC, How China is Changing Your Dinner Plate.

Rainwater Catchment, Residential Rainwater Collection

Fun With Gutters and Rainwater Collection

Rainwater collection doesn’t have to be only about conservation and calculations. Some folks have found pretty innovative ways to add a little whimsy to the whole idea.

Please take note: If collecting water for potable usage, you want to take care to use the appropriate material for the downspouts.

Enjoy

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Environment, Rainwater Catchment

3 Reasons Why Everyone Benefits from Rainwater Collection

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20,000 gal residential Bellingham WaAs our population continues to grow in the Seattle and Puget Sound area, demands on our municipal water sources will increase. Costs to repair, upgrade, and expand these centralized systems in order to meet these demands will become more of a challenge.  Here are 3 reasons why everyone benefits from rainwater collection:

  1. Conserves water: 

Rainwater can be collected as a supplementary source or as an alternative to a centralized source. Whether collected rainwater is used for irrigation or potable use, the water savings can be significant for the individual and the community. Over 70 percent of household usage is for irrigation of landscaping, toilet flushing and laundry facility. Depending on collection area and rainfall, whole house demands can be met.

  1. Reduces stormwater runoff:

Stormwater is a concern environmentally as well as economically. The average 2,500 square foot roof in Seattle will yield over 56,000 gallons annually to runoff unless captured and used or infiltrated. Captured rainwater can be used, and then infiltrated passively, rather than carrying contaminants to our lakes, streams, and bodies of water.

  1. Conserves energy:

Any water from a decentralized water system is not processed through a municipal water district where all water is processed to drinking water standards – no matter what its end use will be – such as use in landscaping. Even though a homeowner buys their water for pennies on the gallon, treating water costs a lot of money to process. Most of the costs are absorbed through large users such as manufacturing and farming, however less water being treated at the water districts equals less energy needed for processing and conveyance.

I want to know what you think about how we can all benefit from rainwater collections. Leave your suggestions in the comments section below – or ask me how YOU can benefit from rainwater collection at your home or business.