Water: Save Some for the Rest of Us

Submitted by Liam on Mon, 08/31/2009 - 23:20
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Most of us living in industrialized nations take water for granted. It’s always there when we turn on our faucets, take a bath or shower, flush the toilet or water our lawns and gardens. But what if that water wasn’t available on demand? Not to be Debbie Downer, but that possibility could be a reality in some places sooner than we think. (Most of us in Central Texas think the Drought Apocalypse is already nigh.)

At this writing, Tribe’s hometown of Austin, Texas and surrounding areas are in the grips of an “Exceptional” drought. Last week, the City of Austin initiated Stage 2 Water Restrictions. Business, homeowners and renters can be fined up to $500 if they don’t comply with the outdoor water use guidelines.

For those who don’t have the pleasure of living in Central Texas, you may think, “Sucks to be them, but this isn’t my problem.” Truth is, it could be next year. Or the year after that. Or beyond. Drought isn’t the only thing that impacts the availability of water. Urban development, short-term heat snaps, population growth and other factors significantly impact the quantity of water used each day. For many major cities and municipalities, the demand is increasing faster than new sources of water can be discovered or developed. In short, adopting water-saving behaviors into our everyday lives needs to start sooner rather than later. And, as cliché as it may sound, a little savings now can have a lot of impact in the long run.

So, what can you do? A lot! But let’s start with the easier solutions that won’t really cramp your lifestyle…or your pocketbook:

OUTDOORS
A vast majority of water wasted each day happens outdoors. Ever seen a home or business running their sprinklers in the middle of the day, or during or after a big rain? Shame!

  1. Water your outdoor plants during the cooler parts of the day. A good rule of thumb, regardless of where you live, is not to water during the period between one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset. This will help minimize evaporation and improve soil absorption.
  2. If you have a lawn, let your grass grow to a length of at least three inches. This will encourage deeper root growth, meaning your grass won’t need to be watered as often.
  3. If your community has established them, follow their voluntary or mandatory watering schedules. Some cities and towns recommend watering only on certain days of the week.
  4. Wash your car using a bucket of water or a hand-held nozzle. Avoid using a hose that runs constantly.
  5. Clean walkways and driveways with a rake or broom, instead of with a hose.
  6. If you’re into gardening, use only plants native to your area, and/or plants you know don’t require much water. Native plants can generally survive on rainfall alone when a drought isn’t in effect.

INDOORS
Even if you don’t have a yard, car or driveway, every day presents a chance to save!

  1. Don’t leave the water running while you’re brushing your teeth. Only running water to rinse your toothbrush can save a couple of gallons each day.
  2. Run full loads of laundry whenever possible, instead of multiple, smaller loads.
  3. Believe it or not, cleaning a full load of dishes in a dishwasher uses LESS water than washing by hand.
  4. Buy a low-flow showerhead at your local home improvement or bath store. In addition, try shaving a minute (or more) off each shower you take. Make a game of it!
  5. “If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down.” I’m not going to explain this one to you. Think creatively.
  6. Check your toilet to ensure it doesn’t have a leak. If you notice your toilet re-filling with water periodically when not in use, chances are there’s a leak that could be wasting a lot of water every day. You can buy very low-cost testing kits at your local home improvement store.

These are just a few, simple, everyday tips you can start using right away. Want more? Check out Water Use It Wisely, a nationally-focused and accessible resource with links to info about your particular area as well. And if you’ve got some tips, practices and ideas of your own, we’d love to hear your comments below.