Water, Water, Everywhere, but . . .
It seems impossible to believe, but water is scarce and growing more scarce all the time.
Essential to life, water is needed to grow food, keep clean, provide power, control fire, and to protect human health. Some people think that, because water is constantly being cleaned and recycled through the earth’s natural water cycle, we don’t need to conserve it, but the reality is that people are using up our planet’s fresh water faster than it can be replenished. Conservation must be a high priority.
As green builders, we take water conservation very seriously on all of our projects:
To protect nature
To preserve drinking water supplies
To save energy
To keep it all “green”
It helps ensure our clients and their families use water wisely. When you do, you help the environment by conserving a critical natural resource. You also do a great deal toward easing the burden on wastewater treatment plants and reducing energy use and related emissions. After all, the less water you send down the drain, the less work these plants have to do to make it clean again. You also save energy both inside and outside of your home. Not only does your water supplier have less to do to treat and move the water to you, your family saves energy and money immediately, especially on hot water heating. It is good, easy and very beneficial.
Some of the things we do to support water conservation (when we’re building a new home or taking on a green remodeling project) include using the latest technologies in low flow faucets and installing dual flush toilets.
I’ve got to tell you it works! Low-flow faucets and showerheads are right up there on my list of great ways to conserve water in a new home. We usually avoid them in the kitchen because you need full pressure for dish washing, but, in other areas, you wouldn’t even notice a difference…but you’d be making one! We also like rain sensors for irrigation systems so you are not watering your lawn during a downpour! Energy star dishwashers and rotary clothes washing machines save many gallons, too!
All of that said, I have to admit that dual flush toilets win my vote for “coolest conservation innovation.” They have a two-position flush so that they can produce two different volumes of water, depending on your needs at the moment. Let’s just say stage one and stage two are appropriately named…. Ahem. Our model home toilets save 50 percent for “number one” and 20 percent for “number two!” They offer a net savings of thousands of gallons a year if used appropriately.
And there are other things you can do in your day-to-day living to save, too!
Pay attention to your community’s water regulations and water usage policies (look them up and pass them on!)
Stophousehold leaks. It goes a long way towards conservation. Check your bathtub, all of your faucets, your toilet, garden hoses, pool or spa, irrigation systems, such as sprinklers and soaker hoses, too.
Cut down on showering time and turn off the water when lathering your hair before rinsing
Take showers instead of baths
Turn off the faucet when brushing teeth or shaving
Lower your toilet’s float level slightly
Keep a water pitcher in the fridge to avoid waiting for cold water to reach the tap
Use the smallest pan possible to ensure you use as little water as possible while cooking
Run the dishwasher and clothes washer only when you have full loads
Scrape dishes before rinsing and putting them in the dishwasher
Water your lawn early in the day and water the LAWN, NOT the sidewalk
Read your water meter—if the meter is running when no water is running, you may have a leak you haven’t even noticed yet!