Ecological Checklist 5

5. Water - sources, quality & use patterns

all - very few exceptions (6)most (3)some (1)few/none (-1)

B. Water source and supply is: Check as many as apply

local and plentiful/renewable (4)

catchment (1) well (1) springs or other waterways (1)

piped from great distance or imported (bottled, tanked in, etc.) (1)

extremely inconvenient (excessively expensive, distant, scarce/rationed) (-1)

from a non-renewable source, or, withdrawal is greater than renewal (-2)

C. Water is: Check as many as apply

naturally clean - not treated, filtering not required (5)

filtered to remove minor natural impurities (3)

treated with environmental & health friendly additives to balance ph or mineral imbalances (2)

chemically treated with chlorine, bromine, iodine or fluorine (0)

treated with the above chemicals, then filtered/purified (1)

D. Water storage methods are:

clean and healthy (5)

unsanitary, posing contamination and health risks (-5)

E. The extent to which the following water conservation methods are used by the community:

Irrigation methods that conserve water

often (6)sometimes (3)rarely (1)never (-1)

Greywater reuse

often (6)sometimes (3)rarely (1)never (-1)

Minimizing household use

often (6)sometimes (3)rarely (1)never (-1)

Devices reducing the amount of water used (faucet aerators, low flow shower heads, etc.)

often (6)sometimes (3)rarely (1)never (-1)

Xeriscaping (landscaping with drought tolerant native plants requiring minimal maintenance)

often (6)sometimes (3)rarely (1)never (-1)

Use of natural/non-toxic products (cleaning, gardening, household products, etc.)

often (6)sometimes (3)rarely (1)never (-1)

Care and maintenance of plumbing to prevent/repair leaks

often (6)sometimes (3)rarely (1)never (-1)

Other (1 point for each) Specify: _____________________________________________

 

Add up the numbers in parentheses behind each item above that you checked.

5. Water - sources, quality & use patterns Total:_____

	50+	Indicates excellent progress toward sustainability
	25-49	Indicates a good start toward sustainability
	0-24	Indicates actions are needed to undertake sustainability