Archive for March, 2007

Did you know that it was World Water Day on March 22nd, as designated by the United Nations General Assembly?

And did you know that although 80% of the earth’s surface is covered by water, less than 1% is available for drinking?

Did you also know that:

1. most of the earth’s surface water is permanently frozen or salty?
2. over 90% of the world’s supply of fresh water is located in the Antarctica?
3. if all the world’s water were fit into a gallon jug, the fresh water available for us to use would equal only about one tablespoon?
4. the overall amount of water on our planet has remained the same for two billion years?
5. 1.2 billion is the number of people worldwide who do not have access to clean water?
6. most of the world’s people must walk at least 3 hours to fetch water?
7. of the 1200 species listed as threatened or endangered, 50% depend on rivers and streams?
8. freshwater animals are disappearing five times faster than land animals?
9. about 6,800 gallons of water is required to grow a day’s food for a family of four?
10. each day almost 10,000 children under the age of 5 in Third World countries die as a result of illnesses contracted by use of impure water?

As such, I’m going to share with you some water saving tips that I managed to research before posting this up:

Saving water indoors

1. Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden, or for cleaning.
2. Verify that your home is leak free. Many homes have hidden water leaks. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.
3. Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at a rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year.
4. Check for toilet tank leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the toilet bowl within 30 minutes.
5. If the toilet handle frequently sticks in the flush position letting water run constantly, replace or adjust it.
6. Take shorter showers. Replace your shower head with an ultra-low-flow version. Some units are available that allow you to cut off the flow without adjusting the water temperature knobs.
7. Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
8. When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water. Quickly rinse under a slow-moving stream from the faucet.
9. Don’t let water run while shaving or washing your face. Brush your teeth first while waiting for water to get hot, then wash or shave after filling the basin.
10. Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.

Saving water outdoors

1. Don’t over-water your lawn.
2. Don’t allow sprinklers to water your street, driveway or sidewalk. Position them so water lands on the lawn and shrubs… Not the paved areas.
3. Install irrigation devices that are the most water efficient for each use. Micro and drip irrigation and soaker hoses are examples of water efficient irrigation methods.
4. Avoid over fertilizing your lawn. Fertilizer applications increase the need for water. Apply fertilizers which contain slow-release, water-insoluble forms of nitrogen.
5. Do not hose down your driveway or sidewalk. Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris from these areas.
6. Avoid the installation of ornamental water features (such as fountains) unless the water is recycled.
7. Do not leave sprinklers or hoses unattended. A garden hose can pour out 600 gallons or more in only a few hours. Use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to turn sprinklers off.
8. Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you wash your own car, park on the grass and use a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
9. If you have a swimming pool, consider a new water-saving pool filter. A single back-flushing with a traditional filter uses 180 to 250 gallons of water.

Some general water saving tips that you may want to try out (if and whenever applicable):

1. Get involved in water management issues. Voice your questions and concerns at public meetings conducted by your local government or water management district.
2. Be aware of and follow all water conservation and water shortage rules in effect in your community. Don’t assume — even if you get your water from a private well — that you need not observe good water use rules. Every drop counts.
3. Encourage your employer to promote water conservation in the workplace. Suggest that water conservation be put in employee orientation and training programs (if applicable).
4. Patronize businesses which practice and promote water conservation, such as restaurants that only serve water upon request.
5. Report all significant water losses (broken pipes, open hydrants, errant sprinklers, abandoned free-flowing wells, etc.) to the property owner, local authorities or your water agency.
6. Encourage your school system and local government to help develop and promote a water conservation ethic among children and adults.
7. Support projects that will lead to an increased use of reclaimed waste water for irrigation and other uses.
8. Support efforts and programs that create a concern for water conservation among tourists and visitors to our state. Make sure your visitors understand the need for, and benefits of, water conservation.
9. Encourage your friends and neighbours to be part of a water-conscious community. Promote water conservation in community newsletters, on bulletin boards and by example. Encourage your friends, neighbors and co-workers to “do their part.” Hhehee, this is WHAT I am doing :)
10. Conserve water because it is the right thing to do. Don’t waste water just because someone else is footing the bill, such as when you are staying at a hotel.
11. Try to do one thing each day that will result in saving water. Don’t worry if the savings are minimal. Every drop counts. You can make a difference.

Other sites that provide water-saving tips (please note that most of the tips are similar):

• 100 water saving tips
• Quick tips for saving water in the home
• Save water 49 ways
• Tips for saving water inside your home

Remember, although there are hundreds of ways we can conserve water, it ultimately starts from US. Do YOUR part.