Sustainable Families – Water
Today’s topic in our Sustainable Families series is Water Conservation. While we may all know the environmental benefits towards conserving water, keep in mind that by doing so, you will benefit economically as well. Saving money to invest in other ways is usually a great incentive for every day people.
For past reading in the Sustainable Family Series, follow the links below.
Sustainable Families: Introduction
Towards the end of this post, I’ve provide various links to videos, workbooks, interactive media and list that provide greater depth towards water conservation. In this post, I will use some of the practical tips that come to mind when thinking about my home. Please share any tips and tricks you try as well.
1. Say no to bottled water. While you’re saying no to it, watched the documentary Tapped with your family. Instead of bottled water, purchase a Brita pitcher. Brita’s come in a variety of sizes to suit every family and now they even come in amazing colors. Actually, rather than purchasing a Brita pitcher, consider purchasing a Brita faucet head. Even if you have a refrigerator with its own water spout, there is a Brita product for that. Explore the Brita website and consider purchasing their filter or another filter for your home.
2. Designate a reusable water bottle for use throughout your day. Rather than using a new glass every time you get a drink of water, consider using a reusable bottle. This will cut down on the dishes…which will make the someone happy ~ whomever’s chore it is and it will also cut down on the water used to wash five glasses when you could have just used one.
3. Don’t let the water run. When you’re brushing your teeth. When you’re rinsing vegetables. When you’re cleaning your driveway. Turn the water off. Use a broom as oppose to the hose. If you have a double basin sink, let one sink be used for your cleaning water and let the other be used to rinse your dishes. If you only have one sink, use a large bowl or pan to substitute.
4. Invest in a low flow shower head. Despite the title being “low flow” if you choose the right kind, your water pressure will not be affected. Your showers will still feel just as good. Some of these shower heads are also adjustable depending on how much pressure you like. There are tons of reviews of various shower heads on you tube. Check them out here.
5. Check for leaks. Check for leaks in your toilet, in your pipes, in your hose outside. Take the time monthly, quarterly, yearly…how ever you’d like and check for leaks. You’d be surprised what you find.
6. Take shorter showers. Every now and then we all need a long bubble bath but on a day to day basis take shorter showers. Honestly, just decide how you like spending your money. Would you rather stand in the shower for 30 minutes and pay for that or spend it on something else? Sure every now and then you need to take a longer shower but find every chance to turn the water off while you wash your hair, wash your body, shave and so forth.
7. Collect rain water. Without proper filtration this can mainly be used for your garden and yard. Heavy hitters like those who use the Rainwater Harvesting Systems take it to the next level and convert the rainwater into drinking water. WOW!
However, be warned. Now that we’re entering into a time where every commodity has a price tag attached it may be illegal. Check this article out about how collecting rainwater is illegal in some states. I knew this was happening in other countries and didn’t realize it was an issue here too.
8. Run your dishwasher and washing machine ONLY when full. Oh, the patience this forces you to have. I know. It may be inconvenient to have to wait but remember you are choosing how you want to spend your money. Do you want to spend your money of two loads of laundry when it could have been one or would you rather spend your money on anything else?
Even if money isn’t an incentive for you, consider the environmental cost. Fresh water is precious and too many third world countries it’s considered a luxury. Check out the resources and let me know if there’s anything you would add.
RESOURCES
Sesame Street: Water Conservation
Sesame Street: Fur Jam: “Don’t Waste the Water” ~ Via YouTube…A song about water via your favorite puppets.
Conservation Kids: A Conversation about Water Conservation ~ Via YouTube adorable kids give examples of how they conserve water.
Residential Water Conservation ~ This link provides an interactive house in which you can click room by room to learn how to conserve water.
Water Conservation Activity Book ~ A pdf file featuring all kinds of fun activities for kids.
How to teach children about water conservation ~ This article provides very practical easy steps for teaching and engaging your children in regards to water conservation.
100 ways to conserve water ~ A very inclusive list of all sorts of things you can do
PDF 
As an additional resource for learning about water and water issues, check out the documentary “Flow.”
Also, we waste a lot of perfectly good drinking water flushing the toilet. To conserve a bit, try the “If it’s yellow, let it mellow . . . ” approach. To make it work, you may need to start using less toilet paper — you’ll be saving water and trees at the same time1