Conservation - Water

Water, like air, is vital to our lives. Rather than relying on a complex
system of reservoirs, chemical treatment, pumping stations, pipe work and
sewers created by utility companies, we can put some of our faith in the
natural cycle of water. Using sensible conservation techniques, we can
reduce our demand for water by at least 50 percent.

HARVESTING WATER

The roof of a typical home can collect enough water to supply a family of
three with most of it's annual water needs. The first stage of reusing
rainwater is to simply store it in a couple of plastic barrels for use in the
garden, lawns and washing outside equipment.

The next stage is to construct a plastic or concrete tank underground

where water will remain cool and clean. The low temperature is important
because dangerous bacteria does not grow in cool water. While rainwater
is basically safe, many areas of the world have high levels of air pollution,
making the direct use of rainwater for drinking, potentially harmful. Make
sure the roof collecting the rainwater is LEAD FREE and has not been made
from zinc or asbestos. Water needs to be stored below 60 degrees F. or
above 130 degrees F. to prevent bacteria growth. If water is stored
between these temperatures, you are at risk from Legionnaires' disease.

Rainwater, can now be introduced to the household hot water system and
to specific areas for use other than drinking - washer, showers, toilets.
Keep a drinking tap in the kitchen, on a separate piping system. You will
need to install a check value to ensure the rainwater can not enter the
"city" drinking water supply.

DIY Rain Barrels - collect water for garden or lawns. Making your own rain
barrels is a simple, cost effective project. Here are step by steps
instructions on how to make your own rain barrels: DIY Rain Barrels

CONSERVING WATER
Shower Heads - replace all shower heads with a reduced flow head. This
simple step will reduce water usage in the show by half, without any
noticeable reduction in pressure.

Faucet Aerator - install an aerator on the end of each faucet to

reduce flow by 50 percent. Don't run tap water while brushing teeth,
shaving or washing dishes.

Fix Leaks - depending on the flow of the drip, a leaking faucet could
consume 10 percent of your daily water usage.

Car Wash - wash your car by hand, using a bucket. Turn water off
between soaping down and final rinse.

Toilets - install dual flush toilets. A dual flush toilet can reduce water
usage by 70 percent over an older style, high flow tank. Here's a list of the
numerous types of Ultra Low Flush (ULF) toilets that are available
today: Ultra Low Flush Toilets

Dishwashers - While older dishwashing machines used large quantities of

water, A-rated machines actually use less water and energy than washing
by hand. They sense the dirtiness of the water and decide whether it can
be used twice. They also use hot water from one cycle to water the water
for the next and use cold water to condense steam so dishes can be dried
with air alone.

Washing Machines - like dishwashers, have only recently become water

efficient. Again, see the APPLICANCE section for a comparison of models.
Of course, wash only full loads and dry on the line.

GRAY WATER or GREY WATER

The term gray water, applies to the "not so dirty" water from your sink,
washers and showers. If you are going to reuse this water for your plants,
lawn, pond, etc., then don't use dangerous chemicals in the house such as
chlorine and ammonia. If reusing this water, it should be filtered. A natural
filtering system, is to run the gray water into an elevated bed with gravel
on top, finer stones, then sand on the bottom. This bed then flows into a
storage pond containing reeds and other water loving plants. The gravel
bed filters the particles out of the water and the plants and bacteria in the
pond break down the more complex chemicals in the water. Even if you
don't plan to use this gray water for other areas, you've greatly reduced
the flow into the sewer system.

Conservation

The ecological mantra "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" describes a set if ideas

that help you conserve resources and decrease the mounting piles of waste
shipped to landfill sites around the world every day. Nature works in a
cycle so that waste becomes food for other living systems and we should
try to do the same. Once you have the 3 R's down cold, take a look at
some of the conservation suggestions specific to: your home,
transportation, electricity, furnace and appliances.

REDUCE

By reducing your overall consumption you will also make it easier to

REUSE and RECYCLE as you'll have less of a need in both those areas. By
reducing or limiting your consumption you will decrease the strain on the
world's resources.

Choose products that are:

 long lasting
 minimal packaging
 available in bulk
 rent or borrow rather than purchase, items that are not used
everyday (tools, vehicle, etc.)

REUSE

Reuse often starts with the purchasing stage. Rather than buying plastic
wrap that you use once and send to a landfill site, buy a plastic container
you can use again and again, to store items in. If those plastic grocery
bags go straight to the trash after unloading in the kitchen, then replace
them with cloth bags.... and put them right back into the car when you
empty them. That way they are with you when you need them next time.

As part of REDUCE, you have purchased longer lasting items...get them

repaired should they break. Look at good high-quality second hand items
when you need something "new". Look around, there are lots of uses for
empty plastic bottles, cardboard boxes, etc. Be creative!

RECYCLE

You've reduced your total consumption, reused the items you did purchase
and yet you still have empty cans, boxes, plastic, etc. Time to RECYCLE.
Again, the recycle process often starts at the purchasing stage. Wherever
possible, if the item you need is available made from recycled
material...that's your choice. And of course, your own paper, cardboard,
cans, glass, most plastics, and metals can be sent to the local recycle
location. Most large appliances that have come to the end of their lifecycle
can be recycled - fridge, stove, washer, dryer, dishwasher. Look in the
yellow pages (internet) for your nearest recycle plant. If you have more
than one item you can sometimes get them picked up for free. If you and a
few neighbors can take a few items to the plant, you may even get paid for
your efforts.

Recycle also includes composting. Keep your "landfill trash" to a minimum.

One or two compost bins located in the corner of the lot, can take care of
your grass clippings and kitchen scraps. Try to mix your compost... green
items with brown items and throw in a few handfuls of dirt for every 3 or 4
inches of material. Keep a medium sized sealable container under the
kitchen sink, where it's easy to use. If you live in a snowy climate, keep a 5
gallon (recycled) pail in the garage or outside a back door, to empty the
kitchen compose container into. It saves the trips to that frozen compost,
way back in the far corner of the lot.

Fact: You can power a TV for 3 hours, from the energy saved by recycling
1 aluminum can.