Water Conservation: You are watering WHAT???

Yesterday was a beautiful Michigan day. A nice day for a train ride, a festival or....

To take Christine for a ride....

Yes, you may remember the Stephen King movie, "Christine!"

My Christine is not a red and white 58 Plymouth Fury. No, my Christine is a classic first gen

97 Olds Aurora.

I have christened her Christine recently since her recovery from an engine fire.

For the most part, Christine seems to have a mind of her own. Wanting to make her happy after her most recent outburst I washed and waxed her by hand Friday night. The chrome on the tires was polished, the interior detailed.

Saturday was the day to take her for a short drive to test her road worthiness. It certainly wouldn't rain and get Christine dirty with the skies over Michigan saturday! "Today would be perfect," I thought! After a quick visit to my sister in Grand Rapids Christine and I stopped by a big box store. Christine waited patiently for me while I made an uneventful trip in and out.

Oh MY! I exclaimed when I returned to Christine. It looked like a water main had broken! I quickly pulled her out of the parking spot!

Yup. That's where Christine was parked. I'm glad they didn't upset her! She really doesn't react well!

I'm surprised she didn't spontaneously ignite again.

From my observations I don't see much in that itty bitty island that needs watering. I would suggest they visit the Michigan Native Plant Producers Association to seek out some hearty native plants that do well in full sun and don't require much, if any, water. The management could also take a look at the type of system they have intalled and how it is operating. I am certain Christine was not the only unhappy visitor to their parking lot yesterday! Curiously enough, this unnamed big box has a new slogan, "Save & Live Green."

Across the country there are several areas that have been experiencing drought conditions. I found this website today, US Drought Monitor, where you are able to see the drought conditions around the country. It looks like a useful resource.

The second group of credits in the USGBC LEED rating system come from Water Efficiency. Under the New Construction rating system points the Water Efficiency credits are:

• WE Credit 1.1: Water Efficient Landscaping: Reduce by 50%
• WE Credit 1.2: Water Efficient Landscaping: No Potable Water Use or No Irrigation
• WE Credit 2: Innovative Wastewater Technologies
• WE Credit 3.1: Water Use Reduction: 20% Reduction
• WE Credit 3.2: Water Use Reduction: 30% Reduction

I applaud the USGBC for making water efficiency a key part of the rating system. Water is an important resource we need to conserve.

Lots of comments, please! I think I will send a copy of this to the management at the store!