After the incredible events of this past weekend, record setting rainfalls and major flooding in our community, water conservation in Nashville is no longer just about being green. It's our civic responsibility. The state has ordered a mandatory water conservation effort. One of Nashville's two water treatment facilities is still underwater. For more details, read this article.
The statistic I just read says the average household in the US uses 100 gallons (enough to fill 1600 drinking glasses) per day. Clearly being a little more conscious and making a few small changes would help. While our current situation is a little more severe...our Mayor has asked that we only use tap water for consumption (drinking/cooking), the following suggestions should be easy for anyone to apply regardless of your location.
1. Rainwater collection - Rainbarrels are perfect for watering the yard, plants, and any low-pressure hosing jobs. I've heard (but haven't tested) that you can get a submersible pump for your rainbarrel to use the water you've collected for high pressure jobs (like washing cars).
2. Turn off the faucet - Don't leave the water running for things like brushing your teeth, shaving, cleaning/peeling fruit and vegetables. Fill up a small bowl, or the sink basin with just enough water to get the job done.
3. Catch/Recycle/Reuse - Instead of wasting a bunch of water waiting for the shower to get hot, put a bucket or watering can under the shower and use that for watering plants, boiling for tea, etc. Similarly, rather than wasting water while waiting for the water in your tap to get cold to fill your drinking glass, fill a pitcher or reusable plastic jug and keep it in the fridge.
4. Shorter showers - Taking showers uses alot less water than taking baths... as long as you don't stay in too long. I have a tough time with this one, but if you take ten minute showers and can cut your shower time down to 3 minutes or less, that's a lot of drinking water you've conserved.
5. Check your meter - Leaks can waste a lot of water (and cause lots of other problems for homeowners like mold, water damage, etc). To use your meter to see if you have leaks, simply check it before and after a two hour period when no water is used. If it doesn't read the same, you've got a leak somewhere.
Hope these are helpful. If you have any additional tips that you use to conserve water, please share them with me!
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