Drought Relief Efforts

Posted on January 23, 2008
Tag(s): Kitchens And Baths, The Great Green Outdoors | | Email this

These days news of droughts around the U.S., and the world for that matter, is commonplace, but there are simple things that everyone can do to conserve water:

Simply use less. While brushing teeth, shaving, washing hands, and soaping up in the shower, run the water only when you need it. Or go one step further and add a motion sensor to existing faucets. There are also attachments (available from Evolve) for showerheads that allow water to flow only when it gets hot (saves $ on utility bills too).
Make sure your kitchen and bathroom faucets have water-conserving aerators attached. If not, add one for mere pocket change. Want to do more? Replace old shower heads (coming soon), faucets, and toilets with new Water Sense labeled fixtures (an EPA program).
Run the dishwasher only when full and avoid rinsing dishes (scrape off instead) before putting them in. For washing dishes by hand, keep a pitcher nearby to collect water while waiting for it to run hot instead of letting it slip down the drain.
If you need to replace your clothes washing maching, consider a front-loader because they use about half the amount of water (and energy so you’ll save $) as conventional ones.
Outside the house (I’m thinking ahead here): Place a rain barrel under your downspouts to catch rain water which could be used for landscaping purposes.

According to an article at News 14 Carolina, 2007 was the driest year in 113 years of record keeping. In an effort to ease drought conditions in North Carolina, Raleigh residents will be asked to install low-flow shower devices by March 1st. The Triangle chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council in North Carolina will be presenting tips, including rain water harvesting, to the city council tonight at the legislative building from 4-6 pm.

Sources: Water–Use it Wisely