U.S. Water News Online
LAS VEGAS -- With the valley now well into the fifth consecutive year of drought, the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) is still out to save some water. Last month, the Water Authority invited more than 40 exhibitors from across the country to Cox Pavilion to bring some water saving ideas with them.
The expo featured a variety of water-friendly innovations, including everything from waterless toilet fixtures to Internet-based home irrigation systems. The purpose of the show, according to the Water Authority, was to encourage and educate businesses on new opportunities to conserve water.
"This is a business to business event," says Doug Bennett, conservation manager for the SNWA. "The expo will introduce businesses to some of the latest water-saving innovations ... We wanted homebuilders, architects, plumbing contractors, landscape contractors and property managers ... We think those people are the people that will have the greatest impact of transforming the marketplace ... the kind of people that can influence a larger share."
According to the Water Authority, outdoor water conservation is where the big savings still lie because landscape irrigation is the most susceptible to waste water. The SNWA notes that water used indoors goes back into the sanitary sewer, where it eventually gets treated, cleaned, and then returned for credit to the Colorado River. Outdoor water, however, evaporates, and eventually transpires back into the atmosphere.
Irrigation control systems are now being technologically perfected. Older timed-systems, according to Bennett, could only do one thing at a time.
"The idea of these smart controllers is that they have the ability to adjust," Bennett says, "depending on the season of the year and the actual weather that day. It's a fairly new concept. It's been around for about a decade or two, but it has always been super expensive, targeted only at parks and golf courses. But now it's going to be the type of product that can be installed in a homeowner's garage."
Some of the new irrigation systems can be accessed from the Internet, allowing a homeowner more freedom to control their water systems. The new devices also have the ability to water automatically based on the weather and the season and watering schedules which require compliance, such as in Southern Nevada.
The systems can range in price from as low as $100 to more than $1,000. Bennett says prices will drop more rapidly, however, the faster consumers embrace the new products.
The expo also had its share of exhibitors showing new ways to save water with new plumbing fixtures and appliances.
The water-savvy toilet was exhibited at numerous booths. Products included the two flush toilet (designed with a choice of alternate flush modes for a greater or lesser output depending on the need), the water-less toilet and the minimal water high-powered flush toilet.
Other indoor innovations included more efficient shower heads and faucets.
Bennett says the SNWA is also hoping the expo got the word out to companies that didn't know this technology was even available.
"We know there is a lot of exciting new technology out there, but it can't succeed in the marketplace if people don't know it exists," Bennett says.
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