Fiction needs a basis in reality. Exercising non-fiction muscles once in a while benefits an active imagination, channeling creative energies as it focuses on a subject. So Serious Saturdays will be an active place for critical essays or writing about reality in the context of real events - even when it is not written on Saturdays.
Type: Informational/Persuasive/List
No matter if you live in California or in New Hampshire, conservation of natural resources is a critical part of making sure our children have the necessities for survival.
In the two previous Water Wisdom sections outlined some of the basic functions and usage tips about water, one of our planet's finite resources. This third section is a list of ways that anyone can conserve water.
Type: Informational/Persuasive/List
Water Wisdom Part III
(Tips Section)
No matter if you live in California or in New Hampshire, conservation of natural resources is a critical part of making sure our children have the necessities for survival.
In the two previous Water Wisdom sections outlined some of the basic functions and usage tips about water, one of our planet's finite resources. This third section is a list of ways that anyone can conserve water.
Turning Off water When Not Using It
The most basic tip ever is something mothers have told their children for decades. When brushing teeth or washing hands, turn on water for a brief spurt to coat hands or toothbrush. Then turn it off. This is not bathtime. Proceed with scrubbing and soap, or brushing and toothpaste. Nudge faucet with elbow or one finger to turn on water for rinsing. Rinse. Then use elbow or finger to turn it off.
Scrubbing action washes hands, not running water over them. Rinsing is only for getting the soap off of hands.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information about how, why, and how long to wash hands.
Navy Showers
Mentioned in Part II, Navy showers extend the concept of turning off water when not in use to showers. This simple action can save two gallons of water per every minute the shower is turned off. To save additional water, take a bucket or a cup into the shower and let it collect water, which can be used either for shaving or for watering plants.
Collect Water in Buckets
This concept deserved its own heading. Collect water in buckets when running cool or hot water from a tap. Take water that has been soaking the lasagna pan and pour it into plants before washing the pan. Australia even collects rainwater in large outdoor holding tanks, according to Australia Water Conservation Programs.
Faucet Water vs. Bottled Water
Bottled water is good for emergencies, so they are good to keep around. However, faucet water better for wallet and the environment, no matter how often one recycles water bottles. Gracelinks.org shows some of hidden uses of water, including in the manufacturing of plastic bottles, which uses more water in making the water bottles than the water bottles themselves actually hold.
The best bet is to buy the water filters for the tap or the pitchers, if the taste of tapwater repulses.
"If it's yellow, let it mellow/If it's brown, flush it down"
Perhaps this is not comfortable for most people, but toilets use a lot of water. According to HomeWaterWorks.org, a source consulted for , toilets account for more indoor water use than showers and less than faucets.
The average person uses the restroom about four or five times a day. If a family can make a two-flush rule for urine and a one-flush rule for fecal matter, imagine all the water that can be saved. Putting a symbol like an empty paper towel roll or a raggedy old towel over a once-used toilet can inform family members and guests that the bowl has already been used once, and warn them against flushing before they have finished their own business.
This tip is helpful for manual-flush toilets, but not for automatic toilets or toilets in public restrooms; one will flush itself, and the other will be flushed by someone who does not want a reminder that someone has been there before them.
The average person uses the restroom about four or five times a day. If a family can make a two-flush rule for urine and a one-flush rule for fecal matter, imagine all the water that can be saved. Putting a symbol like an empty paper towel roll or a raggedy old towel over a once-used toilet can inform family members and guests that the bowl has already been used once, and warn them against flushing before they have finished their own business.
This tip is helpful for manual-flush toilets, but not for automatic toilets or toilets in public restrooms; one will flush itself, and the other will be flushed by someone who does not want a reminder that someone has been there before them.
Laissez Faire Lawn Care (But With Good Stewardship)
That day when it is going to rain or it has rained, the lawn does not need to be watered.The writer of this blog has personally witnessed Californian neighbors watering for ten minutes or longer on the day before, the day of, and the day after it rained this April, even after the mandatory 25% water use reduction called for by Governor Brown.
Do not baby the lawn. Let it be a little - give it a little freedom. It does not need to be forest green all year long. It is preferable and even natural to let lawns brown a bit during the summer. Watering lawns less often and keeping an eye on lawns when watering can definitely reduce water usage.
And in the name of conservation do not let the automatic sprinklers run until water trickles into the gutter; the gutters and storm drains do not need to be watered. Set sprinklers for shorter times, or for alternate days. Less watering is good for wallets and good for the planet.
Do not baby the lawn. Let it be a little - give it a little freedom. It does not need to be forest green all year long. It is preferable and even natural to let lawns brown a bit during the summer. Watering lawns less often and keeping an eye on lawns when watering can definitely reduce water usage.
And in the name of conservation do not let the automatic sprinklers run until water trickles into the gutter; the gutters and storm drains do not need to be watered. Set sprinklers for shorter times, or for alternate days. Less watering is good for wallets and good for the planet.
Eat Less Meat
PETA has been saying this for years. Eating vegetables instead of meat is better for the environment in many different ways, from land use to water use to pollution. One heading under Part I compares eating a water-intensive meats with less water-intensive meats and even less water-intensive vegetables.
This does not mean never eating meat, it just means not eating so much. Consider a larger salad or a side of squash.
These are only a few of the ways to conserve water, which is good for wallets, the environment, and human health.
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