Personal Responsibility Versus Government Action

(Originally posted on waterefficiency.net)

By Elizabeth Cutright
Editor
Water Efficiency

It’s an age-old argument: How much should we be held accountable for as individuals, and at what point should the government step in to help? When it comes to water conservation and efficiency, the question becomes even more complex: Can public outreach and a call to action be enough to inspire change, or will real results happen only after rules and regulations are enacted and enforced?
We’ve highlighted several successful public outreach programs in the magazine. Communities like Denver, Co and Seattle, Wa are just two examples—both cities have made great strides in encouraging involvement and stirring enthusiasm for water conservation and efficiency amongst its citizens. In Seattle, the Saving Water Partnership program—which is sponsored by a group of local utilities that fund water conservation programs in Seattle and King County, and includes workshops and a Web site—promotes the 1% Water Conservation Initiative, a plan to reduce personal and business water consumption 1% every year for 10 years. (For more information, go to www.savingwater.org) In the meantime, Denver’s citywide billboard program, with slogans like “Be Responsible” and “Use Only What You Need,” serve as a constant reminder to residents to stay aware and vigilant about their water usage. (For more information on Denver’s program, go to http://useonlywhatyouneed.org).
These programs work, but are they enough?
At one point, will we have to take a serious look at local, state, and federal conservation, and efficiency statutes and regulations? Some cities and states have already begun to make and enforce water conservation laws. In Georgia for example, the Georgia EPD regulates the withdrawal and use of Georgia’s ground and surface water resources and has the authority to prohibit residential outdoor water use. And in Texas, several water conservation house bills have been enacted, including rules imposing new conservation prerequisites and easing the way for greater use of “graywater” for landscape purposes. In fact, in most drought-stricken areas you can find some type of rule or law that dictates at least some facet of water usage and conservation.
Local control appears to be somewhat effective, but can we leave it up to the Cities and States, or is it time for the Federal Government to step in?