So Serious Saturday #19

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: Persuasive

Water, Water Everywhere:

We Use More Than We Think

     How long do we stand in the shower and let the water run? How often do we throw out perfectly good water that someone or something, somewhere, can use? 

     For these and legitimate uses, water and other resources are being used faster than they can be replaced. KABC 7 news reviews the supply of California's water on a weekly basis, or in their online photo galleries.

     The depletion of the reservoirs should be a concern for everyone; forget about not having water for the next generation (but really, please don't forget), the drought-stricken regions of California and Miami need to be concerned about using up all stored water in the next five years. 

     Some ways to start saving water right now are:

       Catching Drips: Don't want to call a plumber? No time to fix that leaky faucet? Use cups or buckets to collect the water before it goes down the drain, then use the water to moisten plants, but into a kettle for boiling and drinking, or pouring into some kind of storage container until a decision is made on how to use it.

     Using Pasta Water: Americans love pasta for lunches and dinners. Strain pasta with a large pot or bowl underneath the strainer device. Let the water cool, then use it to water grass, rinse out recyclable food containers, etc. 

     Adding Up The Drops: Usually a bit of water remains in washed cups and bowls. Instead of dumping that precious resource down the drain, let the remaining water from the remaining containers drip into one container. (The dripping process may be accelerated by jostling or tipping.) Use the collected water to moisten plants or put it in the toilet tank.

     Smarter Showering: Honestly, most of the water during showers goes down the drain without the kind of cleaning work it was intended for. Several solutions for this waste of water include taking Navy showers and placing a bucket over or near the drain. Collect water and be creative finding uses for it.

     Careful Lawning: Lawns are cut short to make them look groomed. Lawns are watered to make them green.

      Unfortunately for short lawn enthusiasts, watering lawns also makes them grow. Cutting the growing lawns severs veins of water and nutrients, turning the lawns golden-brown sooner than if the grass were left to grow taller. And so on and so forth.

      The simple solution is to let grass grew taller than what we are used to; the grass will stay greener for longer, meaning it needs less water.

     By following these and other water-saving measures, I believe that our society can save many gallons of water per person per day, water that we can use for our future.

Have more suggestions for saving water and natural resources? Comment below, and have a great day.