Talking About Green

We are using 127% more water today than we did in 1950. Our demand for water is increasing yearly at a rate where water companies can’t even keep up. Water also requires a huge amount of energy, both to treat and pump it to our houses.

Cardinal rule #1: Never leave a tap running
About 95% of the water that gets delivered to our houses goes down the drain
Cardinal rule #2: Fix all leaky faucets

Kitchen:
• Use a bowl to wash vegetables or to wash and rinse plates.
• While waiting for your water to run hot, collect the cold water and use it on your plants.
• Store drinking water in a jug in the refrigerator, rather than waiting for the tap to run cold.

Bathroom:
• While brushing your teeth, make sure to turn off the water. (Keep one hand on the faucet to turn on and off, this way you are more apt to turn off the water when not using)
• Have a shower instead of a bath and attach a flow regulator to your shower.
• Put a water “displacement device” in the toilet tank to reduce the amount of water (At home trick, place a small plastic bottle filled with water in the water tank)

Garden:
• Use a rain barrel to collect rainwater for watering plants later. Make sure to keep it covered so the water doesn’t evaporate.
• Water your plants early in the morning or during the evening when it’s cool.
• Use “gray water” (waste water from baths, sinks, etc.) to water garden flowers and plants. (Caution: don’t water salad crops or other vegetable gardens with “gray water” since it may contain matter that is harmful when digested)