Waer Woes - Part 2 Continues - Consevation

"When the well is dry, we know the worth of water".
Benjamin Franklin, (Poor Mans Almanac, 1746)

Like it or not, we live in an age where water, more importantly the lack of it, will affect the lives of millions of people across our nation, and every nation throughout the world.

There are many who predict that water will be the next (commodity) resource that countries will be willing to go to war with their neighbors to possess.

Others predict that cities in America, Las Vegas for one, will see such water shortages that they may even be abandoned within two decades.

Already, in some areas of the world water costs more than oil.

Every sustainable living practitioner must begin to harbor the awareness of water conservation.

Almost every action we do within our house offers opportunity to save.

Almost from the moment we wake, we can begin to conserve.

Bathroom visits - I remember some thirty years ago visiting my brother living in Northern California, and seeing for the first time - If it's brown, flush it down. If it's yellow, it's mellow.

Although it may be a very cool slogan, it is not the lifestyle I want to live, so for me, what else can I do to conserve water use in my bathroom?

First, let me say, that I hope to offer suggestions that anyone can do regardless of budget or available monies to spend.

Conservation is achieved more from personal observation, awareness and change of habits than from technology, spending, and regulations.

It is very easy to suggest that one immediately exchanges their current toilet bowl(s) for one that uses less water, or even models that offer a duel-flush option, that is one that allows you to use less water, let me say for one function, then the other.

But not many of us have the resources to immediately run out and do that, so what other options for savings besides the yellow is mellow method?

Here are some practical suggestions that anyone can do.

You can reduce the amount of water in your toilets by inserting or placing a displacement device in the tank. An easy way to do this is to take a soda bottle fill with water, twist on the cap, and place in the tank.

Always make sure that the flapper and ball mechanism is working properly. Continuous flow from a stuck flapper will waste a tremendous amount of water before someone is likely to come across it and notice that the toilet "running".

Water efficient shower heads can save up to 750 gallons a month, and showering for two minutes less can also save up to 150 gallons. Next time you shower, time yourself. Most people would be surprised to find that they can probably shower for a good five minutes less then their usual amount of time and feel as clean and hygienic as they normally do.

I have at times also kept a (clean) bucket close to the shower that I fill when showering, and afterwards, place near the toilet. The next time I use the bathroom, I just pour the bucket into the bowl and saved "1" flush.

When brushing your teeth, turn off water until you need it, saving over a hundred gallons a month of water.

When shaving, rather then letting the water run, I fill the sink once, rinse my face with that water, and then use it to "rinse" my razor, that action alone can save another 150 gallons of water a month!

If you like to wash your hair in the sink, turning off the water while shampooing can save 150 gallons a month!

Even dropping tissues in a waste container rather then flushing them can save hundreds of gallons of water over a year's time.

So with just a couple of ideas, by just changing just a few habits, and without spending a dime, we can literally save hundreds of gallons of water every month from just one room, the bathroom.

"All the water that will ever be is, right now"
(National Geographic, october 1993)

Brett