The Current
Edition: November 2023
The Current is the monthly newsletter of Innovative Water Solutions where he highlight the great stuff happening at our company and also bring you up-to-date with some of the current water news that could affect you. We hope you enjoy the newsletter!
Table of Contents
- Blog Post of the Month: Podcast with Chris Maxwell Gaines and Capitol Ranch Real Estate
- FAQ Post of the Month: What kind of maintenance does a rainwater system require?
- System Type Spotlight: Contain Water Tanks
- Commercial Project of the Month: The Loren at Lady Bird Lake
- Water News Article #1: Water reuse in Hill County imperative to combat water scarcity
- Water News Article #2: Water is the upcoming conflict climate change is bringing to a country near you
- Water News Article #3: Scottsdale City Council adopts water-saving landscape ordinance
- Winter Water Conservation Tips
- Current Texas Drought Conditions
- Current Texas Water Calendar
- Video: How the Edwards Aquifer works
- Prepping for winter weather
“Rain is grace; rain is the sky descending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life.”
John Updike
Blog Post of the Month
Talking Water on the Capitol Ranch Real Estate Podcast
I had the opportunity to sit down and talk all things water with Colton Harbert on The Roundup with Capitol Ranch. We had a wonderful conversation that ranged from the current water [...]
Blog Post Title (linked)
Blog Post Date
Blog post excerpt. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
FAQ Post of the Month
What kind of maintenance does a rainwater harvesting system require?
Wondering how much maintenance is required for a rainwater harvesting system? Learn the ins and outs of maintenance for a variety of different rainwater system types.
System Type Spotlight:
Contain Water Tanks
Contain manufactures its Corrugated Galvanized Steel (CGS) Water Storage Tanks using top-notch corrugated, hot-dipped galvanized steel. These tanks are meticulously overlapped and hand bolted on site, resulting in a robust and long-lasting product. With their 20-year warranty, each tank is tailor-made and engineered to meet the unique requirements of our customers. Innovative Water Solutions has a knowledgeable and experienced staff that is dedicated to guiding you through the entire process, ensuring that you receive a dependable product you can rely on.
In terms of engineering standards, these tanks are designed to withstand extreme conditions, including wind speeds of up to 165 MPH, heavy snow loads, and seismic forces.
Additionally, each tank comes with a comprehensive structural engineering package as per standard, and it can be tailored to your project location.
What sets these corrugated tanks apart is their ease of assembly in the field without the need for heavy equipment. Moreover, their specialized packaging systems ensure that these products can be conveniently transported by truck or tractor, making them a versatile and practical solution for various project requirements.
Commercial Project of the Month:
The Loren at Lady Bird Lake
The detention system installed at The Loren at Lady Bird Lake serves a dual purpose, functioning both as a stormwater detention system and an irrigation system for the landscaping of the area.
This innovative design addresses the regulatory stormwater detention requirements for the development and also maximizes its utility by incorporating an irrigation component. The top section of the tank is engineered to fulfill the stormwater detention obligations mandated by city regulations.
During heavy rains or storms, this section captures and detains excess rainwater, preventing flooding and erosion and ensuring compliance with environmental guidelines. Meanwhile, the bottom part of the tank serves as additional storage volume, strategically repurposed for irrigation needs. This surplus water is utilized to irrigate the landscaping surrounding The Loren.
The Loren is a luxury hotel in downtown Austin with stunning skyline views and 108 upscale rooms. Featuring roof top dining, world class art displays, an in house spa and many more features, The Loren is a destination for locals and tourists. The Loren was completed in late 2022 and has been featured in many publications that highlight the luxury that resides there.
Water News You Can Use
Water reuse in Hill County imperative to combat water scarcity
In a new report, the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA) detailed the importance of utilizing water reuse, or recycled water, to combat water scarcity in the booming Hill Country counties.
The Texas Hill Country region, due to its unique environment, is already vulnerable to water shortages caused by drought and water contamination from water disposal practices. On top of this, the region has seen unprecedented growth in recent years, prompting officials to come up with solutions for challenges brought on by population growth and water scarcity, as well as preserving existing water supplies.
Water is the upcoming conflict climate change is bringing to a country near you
Afghanistan and Iran came dangerously close to war some weeks ago but it had nothing to do with political ideologies or ancient rivalries; it had to do with a river and how much water each country is allowed to draw from it.
The waters of the Helmand River are shared by both countries, and there was even an agreement drawn up in 1973 enshrining how much water from this river each country gets. While it’s never been officially ratified, both countries had it figured out — until some weeks ago. Droughts and subsequent dams built in Afghanistan have decreased the flow of water into the region, causing shortages and agricultural issues, especially on the Iranian side. This created tensions that boiled over into both sides briefly shooting at each other. While there were some casualties, cooler heads prevailed.
Scottsdale City Council adopts water-saving landscape ordinance
The Scottsdale City Council took a significant step towards amplifying the city’s water conservation efforts by adopting an ordinance that limits water-intensive landscapes at new single-family homes.
Scottsdale Ordinance 4606 prohibits natural grass in the front yards of new single-family homes constructed or permitted after Aug. 15 – a measure supported unanimously by the City Council and a nod to Scottsdale’s collaboration with Colorado Basin Municipal and Public Water Providers to implement new water efficiency practices.
Feedback gathered from Scottsdale Water customers in June found that 86% support the initiative, prompting the adjustment to the city’s revised code.
It’s a positive step that supports responsible use of our water resources and an initiative that works in tandem with Scottsdale Water’s existing residential and commercial rebate programs that offer water saving options and maintain the beauty and functionality of Scottsdale’s neighborhoods.
More to Explore
Water Conservation Tip
Winter Weather Conservation Tips
1) Know where your property shut-off valve is.
In the event of a catastrophic leak, knowing the location of your property shut-off valve could save you money on water and water damage repairs. The faster you can turn off the water, the less goes to waste
2) Check for leaks after the first thaw.
The drastic temperature changes between night and day during the winter cause pipes to expand and contract. As a result, when the thaw does come, pipes are likely to break above and below ground causing massive water loss and high utility costs. After the first thaw, walk the property to inspect water lines and ensure no leaks have occurred over the winter.
3) Drip your faucets.
Contrary to popular belief, dripping faucets during freezing temperatures can actually save you money on water by acting as inexpensive insurance. A recent study conducted by Huntsville Utilities in Alabama found that a dripping cold water faucet only uses 5 cents worth of water in eight hours.
Lastly: but most important…
4) Insulate water pipes in unheated areas.
When temperatures drop below freezing, pipes in unheated areas are subject to freezing causing messy, and often expensive issues. The most common pipe freezes occur on those that are exposed to frigid temperatures such as outdoor hose bibs, and water supply lines in unheated interior areas like basements, crawlspaces, and even kitchen cabinets. To reduce the likelihood of freezing, wrap water supply lines in unheated areas with insulation tubes made of polyethylene or fiberglass. For an extra layer of protection, apply heat-tape prior to wrapping pipes with insulation.
Texas Drought Monitor
SOURCE: National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA).
Texas Water Calendar
Video: How the Edwards Aquifer Works
Preparing for Winter Weather
It is time to think about Winterization…
Clients that have a irrigation system should plan to winterize your system in the next couple weeks.
Innovative Water Solutions can provide a maintenance call to service your system, or look for the email in your inbox soon detailing the process.
Social Media and More
Thirsty for more? See our previous month’s newsletters below.