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Catching Rain
From The Source, a publication of the Marin County (CA) Municipal Water District, spring 2008
By Richard Mahler
Everything starts with water. A publication of the Marin Municipal Water District, The Source is intended to inspire Marin residents to reflect upon the true value of water: where our water comes from, who depends on it, how much we need, how much we use, and how water affects the quality of our lives, communities, and environment.
"When the well is dry, we know the worth of water."
—Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanac (1746)
Marin County is indeed fortunate. Some of the purest water on the planet comes straight to our taps.
At a time when more and more communities must turn to faraway water sources and treated wastewater, ours arrives as rain, right in our own backyard.
Mount Tamalpais is The Source. Our "sleeping maiden" quenches the thirst of more than 190,000 people, providing nearly 30 million gallons of clean, fresh water each and every day.
But last year our watershed received a mere 36 inches of rain—far less than the average of 52 inches. It looks like we may be in for another dry year, which would seriously strain supplies.
Humans aren't the only ones that depend on water. Wildlife, including such threatened and endangered species as steelhead and Coho salmon, are among the "locals" that need water to survive.
Most of us don't think much about our water, or what it means to us. We simply turn a faucet and there it is. Each of us uses, on average, about 100 gallons each day.
So next time you drink a cup of coffee, wash your clothes, take a shower, or water the lawn, take a moment to consider: Where does this water come from? Where would we be without it? Am I using more than I need?
What is the worth of water?
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