Water-conservation efforts have taken hold in all types of institutional and commercial facilities over the last decade as maintenance and engineering managers have sought to curtail water use partly in response to water shortages and drought conditions.
From inefficient plumbing and HVAC systems to leaking irrigation systems, managers have stepped up monitoring efforts and upgrades key systems to both cut waste and hold down utility costs. Facilities have remained persistent in their efforts, but the challenge is likely to get even tougher for some areas of the country.
Rivers and watering holes are drying up, popular mountain recreation spots are closing, and water restrictions are in full swing as a persistent drought intensifies its grip on pockets of the American Southwest, according to The Denver Post.
Climatologists and other experts recently provided an update on the situation in the Four Corners region — where Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah meet. They say the area is among the hardest hit, and there’s little relief expected. Even robust summer rains might not be enough to replenish the soil and ease the fire danger.
The region is dealing with exceptional drought — the worst category — that has left farmers, ranchers and water planners bracing for a much different situation than just a year ago, when only a fraction of the region was experiencing low levels of dryness.
This Quick Read was submitted by Dan Hounsell — dan.hounsell@tradepressmedia.com — editor-in-chief of Facility Maintenance Decisions, and chief editor of Facilitiesnet.com.
