LANSING, Mich. - eTradeWire -- In 2022, Cobalt's National Baseline Study showed that residents across the country give drinking water a score of 71 on a 100-point scale.

That's not a great score.

Regional breakdowns reveal that the Western region of the United States reported a score of 75, closely followed by the Northeast at 73. The Midwest and Southern regions reported ratings of 70 and 69, respectively.

The quality of existing water supplies should be of concern to all. Cobalt Community Research believes that preserving what quality water we have is important, as well as enhancing additional sources. Below are some helpful sustainable practices local leaders can consider for water conservation:

1. Water harvesting: Collecting rainwater and using it for non-potable purposes like watering plants or flushing toilets minimizes the burden on municipal water supplies (Hassan et al., 2019).
2. Fixing leakages: Addressing leaks in water supply systems can significantly decrease water losses, conserving large volumes of water annually
3. Water-efficient appliances and fixtures: The adoption of water-efficient household appliances, such as low-flow toilets and high-efficiency washing machines, can considerably reduce domestic water consumption (Bertone et al., 2016).
4. Collection programs for recycling harmful solvents: Collaborating with local businesses and industries to set up collection programs to recycle solvents to prevent their disposal in water bodies, minimizing contamination.  
5. Sustainable land management: Implementing practices like afforestation, soil conservation, and sustainable land-use planning helps improve water retention and reduces runoff, benefiting both surface and groundwater resources (Adhikari et al., 2018).
6. Implement permeable pavement: Identify areas such as parking lots, sidewalks, and plazas where permeable surfaces can be installed. Replace impervious surfaces with porous materials like permeable concrete or pavers to promote water infiltration.

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Adopting sustainable water conservation practices is a responsibility and a wise investment in securing our future. By collectively committing to water preservation, we can ensure that this precious resource remains available to meet the needs of present and future generations. Together, we can protect our water resources and ensure a sustainable future for our planet.

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https://www.cobalt360.org/

References:

Adhikari, P., Boithias, L., Corona, R., & Ghimire, S. (2018). Effects of Watershed Management Practices on Hydrological Responses in a Mountainous Forested Watershed. Journal of Hydrology, 566, 142-157.

Bertone, E., Cerutti, A. K., Franchini, M., & Zanotti, M. (2016). Residential Water End Uses in an Italian Municipality: A Consumer Survey. Water Science and Technology: Water Supply, 16(6), 1515-1524.

Cobalt Community Research 2022 Annual Benchmarking Study. ​

Hassan, M. N., Rahman, M. Z., Hossain, M. F., Khan, M. A. R., & Ali, M. Y. (2019). Rainwater Harvesting for Sustainable Groundwater Management: A Case Study from Bangladesh. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 9, 100234.