If it turns out that the Pacific Northwest gets less rain as a result of climate change, our acute dependence on Vancouver might get to be a real problem, not only in terms of cost but of actual availability. Our isolation with respect to water makes me somewhat attentive to what's happening in other places with respect to water issues.
My older daughter lives in Carlsbad, New Mexico, which is sharing Texas's current severe drought conditions. The City Council there, she tells me, has just passed a law seriously restricting water use. From April 1 to September 30 of every year, outdoor watering is limited to three days a week between 6 p.m. and 10
p.m. a.m. The restrictions also prohibit the planting of lawn, trees or shrubs during that 6-month period. Unfortunately, she says, April is when everybody plants because it's too hot from May on and too cold in the other six months. Those are pretty harsh restrictions.
Washington State recently passed legislation legitimizing use of rain barrels. That would be a good start here in Point Roberts: i.e., for people to install rain barrels.
1 comment:
Actually it's restricted to three days a week, before ten a.m. and after six p.m. Sorry if I did not make that clear.
I'm glad to hear about the rain barrels; at least they haven't outlawed those here!
In the "You So Funny, Rain Gods" department, we got a serious downpour here a little while ago, and strong predictions of more to come, through early Thursday.
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