Day Zero: When Florida Runs Out of Water

Imagine this: you typically begin your daily routine by brushing your teeth, but when you turn on the tap, the only thing that escapes is a feeble squeak. This scenario would send anyone into a frenzy, and would most likely disrupt your entire life.

May 23, 2017, was the day that Cape Town was supposed to run out of water. The water crisis was so bad, that the race to ‘Day Zero’ was an anxiety-inducing, end-of-the-world situation. Water levels were so threateningly low that the municipal taps would be turned off. Cape Town is approximately 7,700 miles away from Florida, yet both places are faced with very similar predicaments.

The idea of water shortage in Africa stirs up the stereotypical image of women and children walking long distances under scorching sun to retrieve water; something that many Americans might not relate to but may become a reality if we do not change our habits.
There are many contributing factors to ‘Day Zero’, but climate change is inarguably the main culprit. In South Africa, the main water source is precipitation, which is often unpredictable. Dams in the African nation, much like the aquifers in Florida, are exposed to increasing temperatures. Extreme levels of heat mean that water evaporates much more rapidly.

Cape Town was the first major city that was projected to run out of water, but was able to successfully evade the catastrophic event by implementing numerous, drastic conservation strategies such as using a strict allocation of water (much less than what the UN recommends), reusing bathwater for laundry and only flushing the toilet when necessary(If it’s yellow let it mellow).

An increase in temperature coupled with decreased rainfall has devastating effects on multiple sectors, most importantly, agriculture.

Although Day Zero has been successfully warded off, it is still a looming threat that is always just around the corner. The reality is that our current habits are unsustainable and are making our future drier. Frequent droughts and rising demands for water are putting Florida at risk of its own Day Zero, and the countdown has already begun.

All hope is not lost. Saving the planet does not have to be complicated; anyone can become a water hero by making small changes to their daily lives. Here are some changes that you can make right now to save water:

• Be mindful of your daily habits: Be more prudent about the way you use water in your daily life. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or soaping up your body in the shower. This small change can have a significant impact.
• Be mindful of your outdoor habits: Outdoor water usage such as watering lawns and gardens accounts for more than 50% of drinking water. You can reduce this by making simple changes like using a broom instead of a hose for cleaning your driveway.
• Upgrade your toilet: One flush can mean the difference between a dry future and a sustainable one. Upgrade your toilet to a more water-efficient one and save gallons of water each year. Click here for more information https://conservationpays.com/rebate-application/
• Upgrade your showerhead: Consider switching to a WaterSense showerhead and save 2,700 gallons of water and up to $75 per year. WaterSense products are designed to use water more efficiently without compromising on quality.

The concept of Day Zero may seem extreme and even apocalyptic, but climate change will turn the extreme into a reality if we don’t act now to combat the water crisis. Global temperatures have continued to rise, which means that we all have to use less water for the sake of our future.