Water is our most precious resource, as essential to life as the air that we breath. It is also a scarce commodity, due to indiscriminate waste and pollution. In most of the developed world, we enjoy the illusion of a seemingly endless supply of water. Recent drought reports, eye opening documentaries like Flow: For the Love of Water, and books like Blue Gold are showing us that clean water supplies aren't as abundant as we'd like to think. Follow the tips below to curb your water consumption. Together we can make a difference, one drop at a time.
1. If you live in an area with high quality tap water, bottle drinking water and put it in the fridge. Most people who drink tap water run the faucet until the tap gets cold which leads to water waste. By bottling tap water, you'll be able to reach for a cool glass without wasting a drop.
2. Don't take long showers. Five minutes is usually more then enough time. If you shave in the shower, try shaving before hand-- without leaving the water running-- and rinsing off as part of your shower. Don't run the shower for too long before your get in.
3. Again, don't leave your faucets running when you aren't using them. If you're brushing your teeth turn off the water when you aren't using it. If you're washing the dishes, make a bowl of soapy water and wash everything in it, then rinse everything at once.
4. Grass lawns lead to excessive water waste. If you have the opportunity to design your yard, opt for a sustainable design that utilizes native wild flowers and drought resistant plants. A yard that consists of native botanicals will be easier to maintain, and it will require less water.
5. Add a control nozzle to your water hose so you can dictate the amount of water pressure, and so that the hose isn't constantly running when you aren't using it.
6. Never use water to clean the sidewalk or driveway. Use a broom instead.
If you know of any other creative ways to save water. Leave a comment, I'd love to hear from you!
Resources: Photo courtesy of www.middle-fork.org
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