Water Stewardship

What is Water Stewardship?

STEW·ARD·SHIP • noun 
The responsible planning and management of resources.
Since 1986, Jetstream has sought to provide well designed sprinkler systems, thoughtful landscaping and artistic hardscaping to both commercial and residential owners through-out Mid-MI. During the winter of 2018-19 we committed considerable time to examine our activities and client offerings. What are we good at? What are we great at? And further still, what are we most passionate about? Through this process of organizational self-examination, one discipline answered all the questions. That winter we uncovered and embraced that we were (and are) most passionate about water. 

Michigan as a whole has abundant fresh water as compared to virtually any other state in our country. Living and working in Michigan, it is easy to ignore or become numb to the scarcity of water as a whole. But water is scarce in other places. I heard it said recently, that “water is the new oil.” It’s easier to see now with the recent water crisis in Flint, MI and the rapidly escalating rates being charged by local municipalities for fresh water. This article from National Geographic shares eye opening facts on perhaps our most precious resource: Freshwater Crisis

Really? Only 1% of the water on the planet is easily accessible and drinkable? And we are all dumping it on our lawns! The evidence for better water use, smarter water use and reduced water waste hit us hard. Jetstream has always installed well designed and efficient sprinkler systems. We have always provided service and suggested water saving measures. But were we really doing all we could to minimize water use in an industry that thrives on its consumption?

We had to answer the question with “No, we were not doing all we could.” A closer look at the industry and the market around us and we realized that no contractors in our area and to a greater extent, Mid Michigan have embraced excellent water stewardship as their core purpose. Could we do better? Can we do better? Can we become the most efficient company at water movement? Our answer, is a resounding, “YES WE CAN!”

Jetstream’s emerging mission now is to become “Leaders in Water Stewardship.” Enthusiastically, we seek watering methods and principles that will minimize the use of this precious resource. Using less water is an easy proposition to swallow if you pay a municipality for water. Using less means paying less. But the greater picture is that using water wisely, using less of it and reducing its waste is good for our planet and just plain good for us all.

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