By Robin Fedock EBS COLUMNIST
After a balmy start to fall, it finally feels like winter is coming to Big Sky. With this seasonal transition—including a shift to spending more time indoors—comes new opportunities to conserve water in service of protecting the Gallatin River and our water supply. As you think about putting your gardens to bed and trading in your oars and paddles for skis and poles, consider also trading in your inefficient bathroom, kitchen, and laundry fixtures and appliances in your homes and businesses with ones that are more water wise and cost effective.
First, a quick reminder about why water conservation is important: snowmelt drives water supply in Big Sky, recharging groundwater that feeds the Gallatin River and providing water for public consumption and downstream users. Because of climate change, shifting patterns show a trend of reduced snowpack, brought on by earlier snowmelt, lower later-season streamflows, and more frequent droughts. In other words, our region’s water supply is in decline.
Conserving water is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to thrive through drought, stretch water supplies, and protect the Gallatin River. As Big Sky continues to grow, water demand increases, and our water supply becomes less reliable and efficient, conservation-minded water use is critical. Luckily, everyone in the community can take action to conserve what we have, and there are helpful programs, like the USA EPA’s WaterSense label, that can help.
What is WaterSense?
WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that seeks to protect the future of our water supply by offering people simple ways to use less water with water-efficient products, new homes, and services. The average family can save nearly 38,000 gallons of water per year by retrofitting its house with WaterSense labeled fixtures and appliances. Products that have earned the WaterSense label have been independently certified to use 20% less water and perform as well as or better than standard models.
Incentives for indoor water conservation
Using WaterSense and Energy Star labeled fixtures are good for Big Sky’s water supply and good for your wallet. The Gallatin River Task Force offers cash rebates to Big Sky
community members who prioritize water conservation in their homes and businesses by installing WaterSense and Energy Star certified fixtures and appliances, including toilets, urinals, showerheads, clothes washers, and bathroom faucets.
Rebate amounts and qualifications vary, and you can access details here. Most large retailers (Ace Hardware, Lowes, Home Depot, etc.) are knowledgeable and will have their products clearly labeled. You can also find a qualifying model, using the Product Search on the WaterSense page, and Energy Star’s Product Finder.
