Post from I CARE...BE AWARE...SAVING THE PLANET:
WATER ...A PRECIOUS RESOURCE!
| By shishon99 - Apr 15, 2008 1:58:30 PM ET |
| Also listed in: Climate Concerned Citizens | Taking Action | The Green Street | Tree Huggers | Unleash Your World |
Water….A most precious resource.
I'm getting thirsty just thinking about a tall, cool, clean glass of water. Really, there is no resource more precious than water.
But, sadly, our natural water resource is neglectfully misused and abused. Not only taken for granted, we misallocate our water and most of us don't even understand the importance of water.
So much is at stake when we start talking about Earth's water supply. The way of water is misunderstood, yet so important to our lives and vital to other healthy, intact natural ecosystems. Not to mention we are putting our stable food supply in jeopardy. Obviously there is a lot at stake!
So you may ask: "What can I do to make a difference and BE GREEN when it comes to water?"
1.STAY OFF THE BOTTLE - A couple years ago bottled water become all the rage. The good things is that many of us increased our water intake….But the plastic that we are consuming needlessly is grotesque and completely unnecessary as it has come to light recently that by many measures, bottled water and it's purity is a scam. So….it is time to take a look at tap water again! Most first-world countries provide good tap water that is tested regularly by a government utility and is completely safe! As a matter of tact, taste tests have proven that most people choose tap water over bottled water. Bottled water is not as well regulated and studies have shown that it is not even particularly pure. Studies have shown that many bottled waters contain synthetic organic chemicals such as the neurotoxin xylene and the possible carcinogen and neurotoxin styrene. And…Coca-Cola adds salt to Dasani water to make it taste better, just like fast food! FOOLED AGAIN! If that isn't reason enough for you think about this. As high as gas prices are….bottled water is still more expensive per gallon. So if you want to carry water with you - get a bottle and fill it. Want to ensure your water tastes good and is filtered - then add a pitcher with a charcoal or ceramic filter to your fridge to keep cool water easily accessible.
2.SAVE YOUR RAIN WATER - You can collect water from the down spouts and water house and yard plants by means of a simple bucket or you can get more involved and explore rain cisterns. What an easy way to conserve water and make your plants happy!
3.WATCH FOR DRIPS AND LEAKS - Did you know that a dripping faucet can waste 20 gallons of water a day? Did you know a leaking toilet can waste 90,000 gallons a month? So get out the tools, and keep your existing equipment maintained. And if you've let things go too far already, use a little elbow grease and change the washers, etc. that will fix your drips and leaks.
4.INSTALL NEW FIXTURES - New appliances are so much better than the old ones…and the energy rating is EASY to figure out as most have a sticker right on the. BUT, you can go one step further and install low-volume toilets, low-flow shower heads, efficient dishwashers, STAR rated steam washing machines, and many other new items that can save a bunch of water as well as a bunch of money! What kind of difference does it make??? A $30 investment in a low-flow shower head will save the average house 18% of their daily water usage. A low-flow toilet installed in the same household can save an additional 50-80 gallons of water a day! So not only will you be saving water, but once again, you are saving $$ on the water bill and your energy consumption! Sounds like a "win-win" situation! (P.S…check with your local electric or energy company…many now offer rebates if you install new energy efficient items…and SOME are even deducible on your TAXES!)
5.CHANGING YOUE WATER HABITS - Did you know that all the water that goes down the drain meets the same fate? Clean or dirty, it all ends up in the same place…contaminated! EEEW! So, if you make a conscious effort to stay aware you can make a difference. HOW? It is as simple as: A. Turning off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving, B. Waiting to wash clothes or dishes until you have a full load, C. Take shorter, cooler showers, D. Never leave the water running longer than you have to and the one that I am so guilty of…NEVER wash dished with continual running water. Try a couple and see if your consumption doesn't decrease! Old habits are hard to break, but the reward for saving our water supply is HUGE!
6.THINK ABOUT YOUR LANDSCAPE - Landscaping should be appropriate to your climate and what's more, you should be careful with you watering habits. You can take it a step further and choose plants that don't require a lot of water. Your local nursery can be VERY helpful in choosing good drought resistant plants! Take notice of the information provided by your local water provider. Most companies will provide seasonal watering guidelines to help you use your water most effectively. When watering your lawn, do it during the coolest part of the day or at night to minimize evaporation. Consider Xeriscaping. This method of landscaping utilizes only native and low water plants and will provide a look that is unique!
7.DON'T DUMP! - Water sources have to be protected. Know about the water refining systems in your area. If you are pouring chemicals, drugs and other pollutants down the drain or flushing them down the toilet, you may just be cycling them back into your drinking water in a diluted form! YIKES! Stop for a moment before you dump and think, "Would I want to drink this?"
There are lots of helpful hints and lots of things that we can do…EASY things that will make a huge impart on our water supply. Each of us with our small efforts can make a BIG IMPACT!
LOSS OF TIME DUE TO CONSSIOUS WATER CONSUPTION: not enough to make a difference
MONEY BACK IN YOUR POCKET DUE CONSCIOUS WATER CONSUMPTION: maybe a significant amount!
AMOUNT OF PRIDE YOU WILL HAVE DUE TO CONSCIOUS WATER CONSUMPTION: enough to make you smile!
EFFECT ON THE PLANET AND OUR FUTURE DUE TO CONSCIOUS WATER CONSUMPTION: PRICELESS!
I'm getting thirsty just thinking about a tall, cool, clean glass of water. Really, there is no resource more precious than water.
But, sadly, our natural water resource is neglectfully misused and abused. Not only taken for granted, we misallocate our water and most of us don't even understand the importance of water.
So much is at stake when we start talking about Earth's water supply. The way of water is misunderstood, yet so important to our lives and vital to other healthy, intact natural ecosystems. Not to mention we are putting our stable food supply in jeopardy. Obviously there is a lot at stake!
So you may ask: "What can I do to make a difference and BE GREEN when it comes to water?"
1.STAY OFF THE BOTTLE - A couple years ago bottled water become all the rage. The good things is that many of us increased our water intake….But the plastic that we are consuming needlessly is grotesque and completely unnecessary as it has come to light recently that by many measures, bottled water and it's purity is a scam. So….it is time to take a look at tap water again! Most first-world countries provide good tap water that is tested regularly by a government utility and is completely safe! As a matter of tact, taste tests have proven that most people choose tap water over bottled water. Bottled water is not as well regulated and studies have shown that it is not even particularly pure. Studies have shown that many bottled waters contain synthetic organic chemicals such as the neurotoxin xylene and the possible carcinogen and neurotoxin styrene. And…Coca-Cola adds salt to Dasani water to make it taste better, just like fast food! FOOLED AGAIN! If that isn't reason enough for you think about this. As high as gas prices are….bottled water is still more expensive per gallon. So if you want to carry water with you - get a bottle and fill it. Want to ensure your water tastes good and is filtered - then add a pitcher with a charcoal or ceramic filter to your fridge to keep cool water easily accessible.
2.SAVE YOUR RAIN WATER - You can collect water from the down spouts and water house and yard plants by means of a simple bucket or you can get more involved and explore rain cisterns. What an easy way to conserve water and make your plants happy!
3.WATCH FOR DRIPS AND LEAKS - Did you know that a dripping faucet can waste 20 gallons of water a day? Did you know a leaking toilet can waste 90,000 gallons a month? So get out the tools, and keep your existing equipment maintained. And if you've let things go too far already, use a little elbow grease and change the washers, etc. that will fix your drips and leaks.
4.INSTALL NEW FIXTURES - New appliances are so much better than the old ones…and the energy rating is EASY to figure out as most have a sticker right on the. BUT, you can go one step further and install low-volume toilets, low-flow shower heads, efficient dishwashers, STAR rated steam washing machines, and many other new items that can save a bunch of water as well as a bunch of money! What kind of difference does it make??? A $30 investment in a low-flow shower head will save the average house 18% of their daily water usage. A low-flow toilet installed in the same household can save an additional 50-80 gallons of water a day! So not only will you be saving water, but once again, you are saving $$ on the water bill and your energy consumption! Sounds like a "win-win" situation! (P.S…check with your local electric or energy company…many now offer rebates if you install new energy efficient items…and SOME are even deducible on your TAXES!)
5.CHANGING YOUE WATER HABITS - Did you know that all the water that goes down the drain meets the same fate? Clean or dirty, it all ends up in the same place…contaminated! EEEW! So, if you make a conscious effort to stay aware you can make a difference. HOW? It is as simple as: A. Turning off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving, B. Waiting to wash clothes or dishes until you have a full load, C. Take shorter, cooler showers, D. Never leave the water running longer than you have to and the one that I am so guilty of…NEVER wash dished with continual running water. Try a couple and see if your consumption doesn't decrease! Old habits are hard to break, but the reward for saving our water supply is HUGE!
6.THINK ABOUT YOUR LANDSCAPE - Landscaping should be appropriate to your climate and what's more, you should be careful with you watering habits. You can take it a step further and choose plants that don't require a lot of water. Your local nursery can be VERY helpful in choosing good drought resistant plants! Take notice of the information provided by your local water provider. Most companies will provide seasonal watering guidelines to help you use your water most effectively. When watering your lawn, do it during the coolest part of the day or at night to minimize evaporation. Consider Xeriscaping. This method of landscaping utilizes only native and low water plants and will provide a look that is unique!
7.DON'T DUMP! - Water sources have to be protected. Know about the water refining systems in your area. If you are pouring chemicals, drugs and other pollutants down the drain or flushing them down the toilet, you may just be cycling them back into your drinking water in a diluted form! YIKES! Stop for a moment before you dump and think, "Would I want to drink this?"
There are lots of helpful hints and lots of things that we can do…EASY things that will make a huge impart on our water supply. Each of us with our small efforts can make a BIG IMPACT!
LOSS OF TIME DUE TO CONSSIOUS WATER CONSUPTION: not enough to make a difference
MONEY BACK IN YOUR POCKET DUE CONSCIOUS WATER CONSUMPTION: maybe a significant amount!
AMOUNT OF PRIDE YOU WILL HAVE DUE TO CONSCIOUS WATER CONSUMPTION: enough to make you smile!
EFFECT ON THE PLANET AND OUR FUTURE DUE TO CONSCIOUS WATER CONSUMPTION: PRICELESS!
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particularly the bit about the water.