Water, Water Everywhere

According to National Geographic, 97% of the earth's water is saltwater.  And 2% is locked into polar ice caps and glaciers.  That leaves just 1% for about 7 billion people to share.  Water is our most vital resource, and its value is appreciating.  Look at your water utility bills over the past few years.  Columbus Ohio, a heartland city with a river running through it, has had annual rate increases in water, sewer and stormwater ranging from 4.7% to 15% over the past 10 years.

Even more investment is needed to preserve what we have and to unlock additional water for the world.  More public funding of R&D for solar desalinization and other energy-efficient, clean water production technologies.  More private investment in water-conserving fixtures, appliances, commercial HVAC equipment and industrial process improvements.  Stricter enforcement of anti-pollution and anti-contamination regulations for our waterways and underground aquifers.  We can't afford to wait until water eclipses oil as our number one resource crisis.

New General Mills Plant Sets Efficiency Standards

The principles used in this new General Mills plant can be applied to existing facilities also.  US manufacturing facilities and operations can significantly reduce energy, water and solid waste with competitive payback schedules through basic sustainability best practices and upgrades.  Your plant doesn't have to be 160,000 square feet, like this one, or even LEED Gold eligible to start saving.  Small to mid-size businesses have a great deal to gain from an energy/water/waste assessment.