Drinking Water and Water Conservation
Although more than 75 percent of the Earth's surface is made up of water, only 2.8 percent of the Earth's water is available for human consumption.
Infrastructure
A multimillion renovation of the water plant was performed in 2009 with funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) via the Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP). Microinfiltration was put into place, which was expected to save eight million gallons of water per year.
Our system is also connected to the Town of Red Hook Water District # 1. This source is currently used during peak demand conditions and for emergency situations such as fire fighting. In 2010, it was used during our water plant upgrade.
| Report Year | Population | Water produced from Sawkill Creek | Water bought from Red Hook wells | Water used for backwashing of filters | Total usage | Water usage per person per day |
| 2009 | 2,440 | 35,759,823 | 30,000,000 | 600,000 | 66,359,823 | 75 |
| 2010 | 2,460 | 17,478,695 | 25,000,000 | 300,000 | 42,778,695 | 48 |
| 2011 | 2,460 | 28,181,110 | 4,000,000 | 100,000 | 32,281,110 | 36 |
From 2005 to 2010, we reduced our water use by over 20 percent. (Click here to read the STARS report.) However, nearly 95 percent of the water we use is hidden in our diet—something we do not yet measure at Bard.
Bard’s Landscape and Arboretum Program incorporates xeriscape landscape techniques—using drought-tolerant plants wherever possible, as well as weather-informed irrigation. (Click here to read the STARS report.)
To decrease our use of water, we incorporate low-usage fixtures and plumbing equipment.Filtered Water
