Saving water today means shaping tomorrow’s world into a better place. Only 3% of Earth’s water is freshwater, and most of it is locked in glaciers or underground, leaving about 1% usable water. As a result, water becomes a limited source, and many regions face water scarcity due to overused and inadvisable practices. Moreover, water is a finite and essential resource for life.
Furthermore, with an increase in climate change, cities all over America have started to take effective measures to combat the increased demand for water. As of 2024, the Arcadia City Council and Arcadia Public Works Services Department have implemented various water conservation policies and encouraged citizens to adopt water-saving practices while motivating other cities to impose similar laws.
Arcadia limits outdoor watering to two days per week especially during summer to reduce the overall usage of water. Our city has also undertaken projects to improve its water distribution systems and has finished its 2020 urban water management plan (UWMP). This plan is significant for Arcadia because it plays a key role in ensuring the city’s long-term water sustainably. It serves as a blueprint for how Arcadia will conserve water, invest in infrastructure, and maintain a reliable water supply.
Meanwhile, Arcadia is also working towards improving water quality standards. As the Environmental Working Group (EWG)’s recent review indicated, while Arcadia meets legal requirements for good water quality, certain contaminants are present that could impose various long-term health risks on the citizens. This means that the Arcadia Council will need to continue its investment in water treatment technologies and work towards having high-quality water. To combat this, the Arcadia city council participates in the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster to ensure sustainable use and protection of its critical resources.
To enhance water protection, Arcadia Mayor Dr. Michael Cao. M.D. formed public-private partnerships for more advanced treatments and imposed stricter industrial regulations. Our city takes part in organizations working toward protecting our water source and this helps us save water. Recently, other cities have adopted water-saving strategies, often influenced by state-level mandates.
On the other hand, volunteers play a huge role in ensuring our city uses its water resources wisely. The volunteers often participate in campaigns to educate citizens about water conservation techniques and their benefits. They teach the citizens about using drought-resistant landscaping, fixing leaks, and reducing overall water usage. Arcadia serves as a model for other cities to also enforce reasonable restrictions to significantly reduce their water usage like Arcadia.
There are numerous organizations such as the Clean Water Action California dedicated to organizing river and watershed clean-ups to prevent pollution from contaminating water supplies. Moreover, volunteers also help maintain the health of natural water bodies in our city. Arcadia offers water conservation programs, such as Los Angeles Waterkeeper, and student volunteers can assist in distributing information to raise awareness, manage workshops, and support incentive programs for water conservation.
Arcadia has taken serious measures to protect our limited water resources, the city has made upgrades to its water distribution systems, working towards improving reliability and reducing leaks. Additionally, regular maintenance and modernization of infrastructure help prevent water loss and have proven effective.
Our city is filled with volunteer programs and partnerships with local groups that enhance our community’s involvement in water conservation; this inspires other cities to also start investing in volunteer programs for the betterment of our community. Other cities can take meaningful steps to protect their water resources by implementing strategies similar to Arcadia’s.
It is important always to remember that as our population grows, the demand for freshwater also increases. This makes water a limiting resource, and water is crucial in our lives, as we need it to survive. Communities can guarantee long-term sustainability and promote economic and social well-being by prioritizing water protection. Like Arcadia, if many cities came forward and took serious measures to protect our limited water resources, then our water scarcity would decrease and become a safe place for future generations.
