Does conservation matter when resources are plentiful?

 

I have had a chance to be on Twitter recently in a discussion about irrigation and conservation. It focused on parts of the U.S. that don't generally have water shortages and why people would pay more to install low-flow irrigation when they had plentiful cheap water for their lawns and landscapes. My answer is the same. Rain patterns change all the time, prices go up on things like water and electricity, and the more populations grow the scarcer the resources will be to support them. In other words, it is better to conserve now and establish positive habits than wait until it becomes an emergency.

 

What are some ways that communities can encourage people to conserve water in a place where it seems like it is everywhere, accessible and cheap to use?

 

Mister Landscaper wants to know. What are your thoughts?