Eco-Confession Time: I'm a Water Waster
It's true. I am. I'm a water waster. I waste water in all the worst ways.
I swear. The sound of running water is so intoxicating to me. I think I really have some sort of weird complex.
I leave it running while I brush my teeth (while simultaneously letting the shower heat up--like in the pic).
I even have this weird thing where I "have" to have the sink facuet on while I'm "taking care of business"...if ya get my drift. I know, I'm a freak. Someone send the nice men in white jackets.
Seriously though, the EPA says that although 2/3 of our planet is water, only about 1% is available for human use!! So how have I begun to change my water wasting ways? One step at a time...that's how.
While we're talking statistics, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) says:
"With one-third of the world's population living in countries which are experiencing water shortages, it is unforgivable that so little is done to preserve and ensure proper management of this invaluable and life giving resource."
Granted, the WWF seems to deal a little more (ok, A LOT more) harshly and vigilantly than I do when it comes to living green, but they still make some good points.
Small Steps I AM Taking to Cork My Water Wastage:
1) Turning the water off (and pacing around the bed room) while I brush my teeth
2) Turning the water off while I wash dishes
3) Checking my toilet for leaks (and I'll soon employ the toilet tank brick trick as well)
EarthEasy.com says, "In the average home, the toilet accounts for 28% of water use."
4) Only washing full loads of laundry
5) Not running the water while I "take care of business" or to heat up my shower. (Ok, these 2 have been REALLY hard for me...but I'm making progress)
Small Steps I PLAN to Take to Cork My Water Wastage:
1) Turn the hose off in between rinses while washing the cars
3) Install low flow, yet powerful, showerheads
4) Eventually purchase new water saving appliances like a new washer and tankless water heater.
What are some of your favorite ways to save water? To those striving towards living green (or at least greener), simple steps seem to affect water conservation more than almost any other category.
Stay Tuned: Speaking of water, check back soon to learn how to get into some more green DIY by constructing your own $800 feature for WAY less than $100! oops, did i give it away?
After reading this post, I happened upon The Lean Green Family blog (http://suddenlyfrugal.blogspot.com/) and Leah Ingram, the blog's author, had a post up today about this very thing! She says that using the dishwasher saves water (which I knew already) and I do use my dishwasher quite a bit but I still have items that I don't put in the dishwasher. Mainly, those plastic cups my kids drink out of. When those get put in the dishwasher, they get flipped over by the water pressure and fill up with dirty water which just means I have to wash them, again! One of her readers said, "I don't own a dishwasher, and I wash "Asian" style with a small bowl of hot soapy water to dip the washcloth in, scrub the item, then a quick hot rinse from the tap, then onto the drying rack." I thought that sounded like something to try for the those items that don't go into the dishwasher.
Hey Malia, glad to have ya stop by. Ivy's got some great stuff on her blogs!
I totally hear ya what you're saying about the sink water. have you ever heard of greywater recycling? If not, greywater is wastewater from the sink, shower/tub, and laundry. It comprises 50-80% of all household wastewater. There are some cool ways to recycle this water...which come to think of it, would make a good post ;-)
that's awesome that you're making some green upgrades to your home! i hope you've found a little help from here.
Hi there! I found you via Badbadivy from Shak Yard. I've been trying to reduce our water consumption as well and the thing that really trips me up is running the faucet while doing the dishes. I just can't stand the thought of filling the sink with water and then dumping a bunch of dirty dishes in there to "wash" them...in water that is now dirty from the dishes I just put in it.
Just had to vent/share that!
We plannning to make some "green" upgrades to our HVAC and water tank within the next few years. We discussed the tankless water heater, I'm looking forward to being able to do that!
We're good nashveggie. I should know better than to try to articulate my dry sense of humor through a faceless comment to a complete stranger. Live and learn.
I'm sorry Randy. I took it wrong. You know, typing and no face to see. I get that way. Forgive?
I get temperamental...I need a glass of water.
nashveggie...wow! you're serious aren't you?! Sorry you took offense. I didn't think I was attacking you. I was just making a "dry-humored" comment to push low flow toilets to conserve water.
Your quote was timely and I was thinking along the same lines while reading Jeffrey's post before I read your comment...so chill. "Can't we all be friends?"
No need to attack me. I believe that statement was used at the SEC tournaments in your fair city last year. Word for word in fact.
Nashveggie...that's just plain nashty. Zero-Low flow toilets allow you to keep your household sanitary (see the ads surrounding this post). That's not why I'm commenting, though.
Jeffrey...I'm proud of you for taking baby steps to get with the program. Be glad you don't live in the Atlanta area right now. We are in a water crisis here (drought level 4...the worst) and have severe water restrictions on outdoor watering and car washing...and you're running precious water down the drain just so you can take a wizz! Pathetic. Maybe you should invest in a CD with a stream-running sound effect to help you...you know...open the flood gates...as it were.
Hang in there, dude. You can do with much less water. Believe me...I know.
"If it's yellow let it mellow. If it's brown flush it down."
Just had to be said.