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For a start, we took the family-water audit test offered here,
to see how good we were at saving water. We flunked. If you’re like us, you may
want to see what this site offers: over 100 tips on how to save water in and
around the home. Examples of water saving tips include running a bath and
plugging the tub before turning water on, then adjusting the temperature as the
tub fills up; using food coloring to test for leaks in the toilet tank; bathing
children together; and using a commercial carwash that recycles water, like Eco
Car Wash in this section under “Car Wash.” There is a lengthy list of water
saving plants for our area as well as links to other websites for water saving
technologies such as waterless urinals, instant hot water heaters, and leak
detection equipment. The site also offers educational tools and games that are
fun for both children and adults. You can participate in the family water audit
to measure how your family currently uses water and then use the site to make
sustainable water choices for your particular lifestyle. Maybe next time we’ll
pass the exam.
Toilet Papers: Recycling Waste and Conserving Water. Van der
Ryn, S. 1995. Ecological Design Press. Sausalito, California. (Book)
Alternative home waste disposal methods, such as composting
toilets and the use of grey water in and around the home are important
sustainable solutions. “Toilet Papers” outlines a number of viable options for
composting toilets, complete with illustrations and detailed diagrams. Like a
primer to grey water systems, the book describes how plumbing can be modified to
direct grey water for use as irrigation or toilet water. Lavatory history and a
human anatomy lesson make the rest of the book an interesting resource and it
serves as a how-to manual for those folks with either some building and plumbing
expertise, or simple determination.
This site is a great hands-on tool for homeowners navigating
through a model home and wondering how to save money on their water bill. Go to
the website, click on “typical household objects”, and learn about water
conservation and the applicable technology. Suggestions range from on-demand hot
water system to greywater systems, rainwater harvesting, and to low, water-use
gardens. Look here for advice and statistics on incentives plus rebates,
benefits and costs, where to purchase equipment, maintenance, and handy
installation tips.
Water Smarts. Ogorzalek, T. 2003. Journal of Housing and
Community Development. 60(4):24-29. (Journal article)
Water Smarts provides some shocking statistics of water use in
the United States. For example, 24% of residential water is used for toilet
flushing and 4.8 billion gallons a day are flushed. It is a huge water use but
there are some helpful alternatives to the standard toilets installed in most
residences, which suggests that we do not have to waste so much water. If you
own an older home, consider the merits of upgrading to a more efficient system.
A new kind of low-volume toilet was introduced in the 1980s that led to
legislation requiring newer toilets to use only 1.6 gallons of water per flush.
The US EPA estimates that a three-person household can save $60 and 54,000
gallons of water annually when low-flow toilets, showerheads, and faucet
aerators are utilized.
A list of behavior modifications is included, which allows
readers to easily identify areas for improvement:
- Only run the dishwasher when full.
- If washing something (dishes and clothes) by hand, fill a
tub and use that rather than letting the water run continuously.
- If you have to wash your car, turn off the hose between
rinses.
- Cover an outdoor pool when not in use.
- Sweep sidewalks rather than hose them down.
- Water the lawn at cool times of day (at night or very
early in the morning) to lessen evaporation.
The Rocky Mountain Institute’s website offers advice and
information on the following water topics:
- Water-efficient fixtures & appliance
- Landscaping and irrigation
- Greywater systems, compost toilets, and rain collection
- Wastewater treatment systems
- Drinking water quality
- Civil action: promoting water efficiency and protecting
rivers
This site is comprehensive and useful. Regarding composting
toilets, there is a warning to homeowners that many local jurisdictions are
unfamiliar with the technology, and therefore do not have codes enacted — making
it difficult to pass inspections. The Rocky Mountain Institute provides numerous
links for further information on all of these important topics.
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