The first quarter of 2015 in Dallas were rainy months and those waters helped float us out of the drought officially on paper. However, our water levels remain at a low. It is important to continue to practice conservation and to treat water like you had to walk a mile to get it.
As citizens we must take into our own hands how we use water, because the government will not restrict water use until there is a crisis, do we have to get to that point? Here is what is happening now in Brazil.
Now São Paulo is in a full-blown water crisis.
The citizens of São Paulo Brazil are experiencing the effects of a less than 10% water capacity, WHY?
Eighty percent of São Paulo’s main watershed is deforested, as is 20 percent of the Amazon. That means less rain coming from the Amazon and less ability to capture rain that does come.
A mural by Brazilian artist Subtu highlights the issue of severe water shortages in São Paulo. After bottoming out at below 10%, reservoir levels are still below 20% of capacity heading into the region’s dry season. They have taken to the streets to demand water distribution to the poorest communities and also have begun to find creative ways to conserve and also to stand up against the construction practices that created this problem.
Here is what you can do in your own FRONT yard. Cleaning Tips That Conserve Water
- Sweep your sidewalk or driveway, rather than hosing it down.
- Wash your car on the lawn and use a bucket instead of a hose, or use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
- Bathe your pets outdoors in an area that needs to be watered.