Only 2.5% of the earth’s water is freshwater and, as most of the reserves remain lodged in the Antarctic icecaps, a mere .007% of this supply can be used for drinking.

While our drinking water becomes an even more precious resource, rapid increases in global population equate to less availability on a per capita basis. In 1989, there was approximately 2,378,000 gallons of freshwater available per person. By 2025, available freshwater is expected to plummet to nearly 1,347,000 gallons per person assuming the global population approaches 8 billion.

Burgeoning populations are not only stifling water availability, but water quality is rapidly becoming a rising concern as well. As the global population continues to experience exponential growth, aging sewer systems, environmental pollution, and microorganisms’ growing resistance to water-treatment chemicals are noteworthy issues affecting our water supply. At Peninsular Plumbing Company, we offer an array of water filtration solutions from single faucet filters to total home solutions.

As the quantity of water declines, the law of supply and demand dictates that prices will increase. Not surprisingly, the Tampa Water Department forecasts that water prices are expected to increase an average of over 15% annually from 2008 to 2012 equating to a total increase of 76% during that time. While Hillsborough and the surrounding counties already use a tiered pricing system that penalizes residents with higher water consumption, the possibility of instituting a drought surcharge targeting single-family households with excessive water usage has increased.

However, while the water pricing prognosis may appear glim, there are many options available to insulate yourself from rising costs. Outdoor water usage accounts for up to 50% of water consumed by households, thereby finding viable substitutes for watering your lawn and garden is a great place to start. First, let’s discuss the different types of water you may encounter when researching water conservation options

• Potable Water is appropriate for drinking, cooking, and washing. It may be naturally occurring as is the case with pristine springs, or treatments may be required to remove harmful contaminants.
• Non-potable Water is not appropriate for consumption and is often recycled. However, there are many types of non-potable water such as: reclaimed water, greywater, rooftop rainwater, and air-conditioner condensate.
• Reclaimed Water is water that was wastewater (aka Blackwater) and following purification, is now suitable for irrigation, fire suppression, and dust control. While reclaimed water availability in Florida remains sporadic, Peninsular Plumbing Company has hooked up countless reclaimed water meters in the Tampa Bay area.
• Greywater is residential waste water that is derived from sinks, dishwashers, showers, and laundry, but excludes toilet water. Some of the pollutants such as phosphorous, nitrogen, and potassium are actually considered fertilizer for plants. Not surprisingly, the US Green Building Council among other organizations has chosen greywater standards as the technology with which to launch their regulatory reform programs. Please contact us to learn more about how we can install a greywater system in your home.
• Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting is relatively self-explanatory and while greywater is a solution that is typically utilized on an individual-building scale, rainwater harvesting can incorporate several rooftops allowing for commercial use as well. Rainwater harvesting systems can operate on as little as 15-20” of rainfall annually, but thrive in areas such as Hillsborough that average over 50” throughout any given year. Rainwater can be used for irrigating lawns, washing cars, or flushing toilets and such systems can range from a simple barrel at the bottom of a downspout to multiple tanks with pumps and controls. Please contact one of our technicians to learn more about integrating a rainwater harvesting system at your residence or facility.
• Air-conditioner Condensate can be used for irrigation requirements or for cooling tower makeup. This type of recovery tends to be more apropos for commercial use and thrives in high temperature, high humidity environments such as Florida. Moisture from the air condenses on the evaporator coils inside an air-conditioner as it runs by the coils. Condensate drains used to siphon the water into a sewer, however, we have begun to see more and more buildings capture the condensate for reuse.