Elemental OM Discussion Forum

"Water and air, the two essential fluids on which all life depends, have become global garbage cans" - Jacques Cousteau Facts from Global Citizen Corps: The industrialized nations of this planet have contributed disporportionately to global warming which has grossly affected the water supply of developing countries: more than 1 billion people – about one in six people in this world – have no access to clean and safe drinking water while over 2 billion lack access to adequate sanitation. If we continue to follow the current trend, by the year 2025 two thirds of the people in this world will not have sufficient access to clean water. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that 1.8 million children die every year as a result of diseases caused by unclean water and poor sanitation. That’s one death every eight seconds.

Conserving Water What you do with water in your developed country DOES affect those most impoverished in this world. Choose to make a difference in your own home. We can save the planet one Yogi at a time. In the kitchen Never let the water run when you are washing dishes by hand. Use the dishwasher, it saves water. Soak pots and pans instead of scraping under running water. Run your dishwasher and clotheswasher when you have a full load only. Put a pitcher of cold water in your fridge. That way, you don't have to let the sink run to cool the water. Buy an organic vegetable cleaner and soak your veggies and fruits to clean instead of running water over them. Collect the water that you use to rinse fruit and veggies and use it to water houseplants. When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments. They're more water and energy efficient. Look for Energy Star certifications Designate one water glass as yours each day. If you have more than one member in your family, color code your glasses. Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink. If you have a newer dishwasher, don't bother to rinse your dishes. Just scrape clean and load. When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink and rinse when all of the dishes have been soaped and scrubbed. In the yard Make sure your sprinklers in your yard are adjusted so that only the yard is watered. Turn off your system when the yard doesn't need watering. It's okay to let the grass go a little brown. It always comes back. Consider ground cover instead of grass. Buy a compost bin and don't use the garbage disposal. If you are planting trees and shrubs, choose to plant in fall. You won't have to water them so much. Water you lawn and garden in the morning or late evening. This saves evaporation. If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption. Use mulch, it holds the water on your plants. Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped. Let the lower branches of your shrubs and trees grow. This keeps the ground cool and limits water evaporation. Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste. Collect water from your roof in a rainbarrel to water your garden Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so your system won't run when it's raining. Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees. Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard by planting shrubs and ground cover. Never water your lawn on windy days. Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance. Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while underwatering others. Use a layer of organic material on the surface of your planting beds to minimize weed growth that competes for water. Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation than those spraying water into the air. Next time you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low water use plant for year-round landscape color and save up to 550 gallons each year. Let your lawn go dormant during the summer. Dormant grass only needs to be watered every three weeks or less if it rains. In the Bathroom Replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model. Shorten your shower by only 1 or 2 minutes and you could save 150 gallons a month Wash your face and brush your teeth while in the shower. If your toilet was installed before 1992, reduce the amount of water used for each flush by inserting a displacement device in the tank. When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up. Use a water-efficient showerhead. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month. Turn off the water while you shave and save up to 300 gallons a month. Turn off the water while you wash your hair to save up to 150 gallons a month. Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms up or runs. Use this water to flush toilets or water plants. Never let the water run while washing your hands. Other Ideas When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants. Use a commercial car wash that recycles water. Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water. Teach your children to turn off faucets. Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. Bathe your young children together. Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car. You'll save up to 100 gallons every time. Washing dark clothes in cold water saves both on water and energy. Fixing a leak can save 300 gallons a month or more. Re-use the water left over from cooked or steamed foods as a broth for soups. Wash your pets outdoors in an area of your lawn that needs water. When shopping for a new clothes washer, compare resource savings among Energy Star models. Some of these can save up to 20 gallons per load, and energy too. When you give your pet fresh water, don't throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs. Reuse your towels.