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

Water Woes - Part 2 Continues

To become Master of the country,
first you have to control the water. Ancient Chinese Saying.

Regardless if you live in city limits, with water supplied from municipal sources, or a more rural community, with your own well water, water, water conservation, and water collection should be of concern to you.

For municipal users, cost of water use will continue to climb in many states across the country. This is mainly due to water supply levels dropping across the spectrum of municipal water sources such as regional lakes, rivers, and aquifers.

As water sources decrease, states that have traditionally shared water resources across state lines are now looking at ways, both legal and mechanical, to reduce the output and distribution of their precious water resource.

Even those homes with water wells on the property are not immune from water related problems.

New developments tapping into a shared aquifer can quickly lower water levels. I have a well on my property, at 130 feet we are drawing water, about the same as my other neighbors in our 2-5 acre 1970's home division (only 10 homes were built by this developer on this tract).

Last year my neighbor had to re-drill a new well - it was 300 feet before he had reached a comfortable depth for pumping.

Other rural communities have seen commercial water companies purchase land and place multiple wells on the property draining water resources that communities have relied on for generations.

So what can an individual or family do? Fight big business water companies? Fight municipal water costs and regulations?

The sustainable living practitioner must take responsibility for themselves to become as water responsible as possible.

How?

By conservation, collection, and reclamation.

Let us enter a typical home, and walk room to room, to discover together, what, if, and how water and (water related) energy may be reduced and conserved.

If you think that water or energy conservation is limited to only kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms then you will be pleasantly surprised to know that in such rooms as living, dining, family, and bedrooms, savings and conservation can be gained.

Water Woes part 2 continues today with, Conservation Methods For Water and Energy Savings.

Brett

Water Woes - Part 2

Economic hard times, high unemployment, armed conflicts, health care and social debates, why should anyone be concerned about water issues when most Americans can simply walk over to the closest sink, turn a spigot, and have as much (seemingly) as they desire?

Recently, I read an article concerning a prediction for a colder then normal winter for the mid- section of our nation. In the comment section (and there were well over 100 comments) the discussion soon turned to opinions about cause and effects, global warming or not global warming.

I was amazed and shocked at the anger and insult delivered back and forth among readers and commentators.

I have written before, and I will write this again. Sustainable living, and sustainable practices, are not a pro-global warming nor a con-global warming issue. It is not a political right nor a political left issue. It is an issue that is vital to the health and welfare of millions of Americans living in hundreds of cities around America today.

Water, specifically fresh, clean, drinking water, is and will continue to be the most important aspect of sustainable living now and in the future. It's not solar panels, wind turbines, or lithium batteries and electric motors.

Let's look at some facts together.

Overuse and draught is shrinking the output of the Colorado River Basin, with possible water shortages for millions of people in seven western states.

Less then two percent of all water on the earth is drinkable water.

States already are in political and legal battles over water rights from Lake Lanier, a leading water supplier for Georgia (Atlanta), Florida, and Alabama.

With the Great Lakes experiencing their lowest levels in decades, bordering states and Canada are agreeing to plans to keep the water in the region.

More than half the states expect water shortages by the year 2013.

Water or the lack of it, is an issue that many Americans, and world citizens will face in the upcoming years.

One more fact.

The U.N. has declared that water demand will outstrip supply for two-thirds of the world population by 2025. If you think that doesn't effect you, then glance over at your children, or grandchildren, and realize that 2025 is only 15 years away. What quality of life is in store for them?

Every great city that has ever been built has a connection to a great body of water or river system. Water and the movement of water has sparked human invention and mechanical design.

It washes us, it settles us, we play in it. Food we could go weeks without, no water, we would die in less then a week.

If all of electricity and technology mysteriously stopped tomorrow, as long as we had water we could survive. But no technology could save us, if water was to disappear.

It is the most important thing for life, and economy.

This week we will explore ways to collect water, from rainwater to recycling our own water waste. We will explore ways to store, purify, and recycle water.

Please join us tomorrow for the continuation of Water Woes part 2.

Brett

Back From Vacation - And Much To Continue With

I have returned from a two week vacation and anxious to continue our discussions and articles.

Today is September 1, and today's breaking news story concerns the fires in Los Angeles County, California.

As you know from previous articles, California is experiencing a severe drought condition, and the hills around Los Angeles are particularly dry. The historic Mount Wilson Observatory is threatened and it would be a great loss to the city's architectural heritage if it was to suffer damage in the fire.

Already there has been loss of life, and many homes are already razed. It is a story heard many times over in Southern California's history.

I grew up in Los Angeles and know well the lifestyle of canyon and hillside living, sometimes within minutes from city activities, it is one of the magic things about Los Angeles.

However, it is time for those that choose to live in fire-prone areas to take responsibility for that choice. By creating a sustainable home, using building materials that offer the greatest amount of fire protection possible, and to also install, roof top and property sprinkler systems, supplied by water storage and cisterns contained on the property.

My series of articles titled Water Woes will continue this week. Water Woes, part 1 left off with us entering into a typical home in Los Angeles with the idea of going room to room to see where household water can be conserved along with energy savings.

Water Woes, part 2 continues this week.

Water is going to be the major focus of all my articles this week. From collection methods to storage and purification.

Thank you to those that have continued to support Brett Talks Tech. My vacation is over and it's time to get back to work.

Brett