Thinking Green about Water

As we move closer and closer to the season of the white fluffy stuff, thinking about water usage is probably not on your mind.  But, that white fluffy stuff melts and turns to water, something that is becoming more and more scarce  on our planet.  Households make up  10% of the fresh water used in this country.  That may not sound like a lot, but that adds up to over 43 billion gallons of water per day for use in households (drinking,  bathing, laundry, cooking, and outdoor use).  43 billion a day!

While many newer homes are coming equipped with water saving appliances, plumbing, and features, your older home can be made to be more water conserving very easily.  The toilet accounts for 28% percent of water usage in the average U.S. home.  The city of New York realized how big an impact could be made just by encouraging its residents to replace older, water inefficient toilets, with newer efficient ones.  The rebate program cost the city about $393 million in money back to home and building owners when they made the switch.  But the 7% savings in water usage saved the tax payers $605 million by deferring expansion of the cities water infrastructure.  That’s a win-win!

How can you get in on the savings, even without a government rebate?  First and least expensive is to install low flow aerators on faucets.  This is the single best home water conservation method.   Inexpensive, water saving shower heads are another great way to decrease water waste.  If you have an older toilet, but are unwilling, or unable to replace it, fill the bottom of 2 plastic bottles with about 1-2 inches of sand, then the rest of the way with water.  Place them in the toilet tank, away from the mechanical parts.  You will be saving water with every flush!

A few free options for conservation are to turn the water off while brushing your teeth, except to rinse.  The same for shaving.  Rather than rinse the razor in running water, put an inch or so of water in a stoppered sink.  This will rinse the razor just as well.  Take shorter showers, and turn off the water when lathering.  Only run the clothes and dish washers with full loads.  Stop using your garbage disposal, and start a compost pile.

If you are inclined to invest the greenback to go green, do a bit of research.  Be sure to compare the purchase cost, the operational cost, and the upkeep or maintenance cost when deciding which unit to purchase.  According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy: “Based on our estimates, a typical family with a home more than a decade old could save $200 per year in electricity and water bills, and 18,600 gallons of water, by switching to highly energy and water efficient appliances. A family in a newer home would save slightly less, due to the more efficient equipment already installed in their home. If every American household installed these products, the annual water savings would equal the average flow of the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico for five entire days.”  (Source: National Geographic Green Guide).  That’s a lot of white, fluffy stuff!