Posts Tagged ‘save water’

You may know from my previous blog that this past weekend I worked with Nature’s Voice Our Choice (NV-OC) in the Greenology exhibit at the Celebrate Fairfax Festival. Many thanks to everyone that came out and bought a toilet tummy, faucet aerator or a bottle of MultiPurpose cleaner. Also, a special thanks to everyone who listened to our presentation or talked with us at our table. I hope that you walked away from the exhibit with a greater appreciation for water conservation. (Extra special thanks to Brenda who in her Twin Peaksish way showed me that there is something kooky about Fairfax that might be worth celebrating!)

Before working with NV-OC, my position on water conservation was probably on par with most Americans. Most of us do not know where our water comes from, how much we use or how in danger we are of running out. Most of us, even though concerned for the environment and trying to do all the right things, do not know the severity of the water crisis. Most of us believe that what we use just goes right back to the water treatment facility and then back to us again.

Now I know that my water comes from the Potomac. Now I know that I use about 98 gallons of water a day. That is an average amount calculating laundry, cooking, bathing and using the bathroom. That figure does not take into account outside items that I consume. For instance, it takes 400 gallons to produce a t-shirt, 1800 gallons to produce a pair of jeans and 16 gallons to produce a can of soda. Think about that the next time you are at Target or the mall and you pick up an item just because it is on sale and not because you actually need it!

Now I know that even though most of the water I use goes back to a water treatment plant, 40% of Municipal Energy Needs are used for water supply and waste-water treatment. Now I know that even if we had unlimited energy, our population is increasing at rates that cannot be supported by the amount of water that is on the planet – especially at the rate in which we are consuming it.

NV-OC has created a Virtual River Project that seeks to reduce our water consumption by half thereby creating a new water source. If you use half of what you normally use there would be water for a whole other human being to use. Conversely, if you don’t conserve water, you could be denying water to a whole other human being.

NV-OC is working with manufacturers to provide smart products that make water conservation simple. The Virtual River Project works with cities to provide incentives, improve infrastructure, and pass ordinances aimed at reducing water use. Businesses are encouraged to improve practices and facilities to reduce water consumption. And, of course, households are educated on inexpensive devices and practices to save water daily.

Now I know that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expects 36 states to have water shortages by 2013. That is a year and a half away! Most countries already enforce water restrictions – times of day when certain water use is prohibited. Some areas of the world can only access water for an hour a day. Think about how busy you are now. Then imagine that your entire life revolves around the one hour a day you have access to water.

I don’t want to live in a world where water is a rare commodity – available only to those who can afford it. Unless we create a new water source through conservation, we are in for a very rude awakening.

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GreenItUp! is teaming up with Nature’s Voice Our Choice this weekend at the Celebrate Fairfax Festival. We are introducing carnival goers to 5 easy, inexpensive ways they can save 50 gallons of water every day! The Virtual River challenges every American household to reduce their water consumption.

5 easy steps:

1. install low flow faucet aerators in each bathroom and kitchen – cost $5, saves 30-40 gal/day

2. install a toilet tummey in each toilet tank – cost $5, saves 10-20 gal/day

3. use natural cleaning products – cost $6/bottle, saves 2-5 gal/day

4. install a low flow shower head in each shower – cost $10, saves 15-30 gal/day

5. install a rain sensor on your sprinkler system – cost $30, saves 100 gal/cycle

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