Water Archives - Big Green Purse

Why I Pledged to Save 68,376 Gallons of Water This Year!

admin — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 20:57:46 +0000

My Water Pledge

Water is as important as air when it comes to surviving life on Earth. Our bodies are over 90% water, and though we can go without food for weeks if we have to, try going even one day without water. And yet, so much water is being wasted that many of our communities suffer from water shortages and undergo mandatory rationing in order to make it from one drought or shortage to the next.

That’s why I took the Wyland Foundation’s Water Conservation Pledge, and why I want you to take the My Water Pledge, too. I was already doing some things to save water, but taking the pledge – and calculating my water “footprint” – helped me identify opportunities to save even more.

Here’s How The Challenge Works

It starts with the Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. The Challenge launched eight years ago as a competition between mayors in southern Florida to promote the health of our ocean, lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands by being smart about how we use water. Since that time, the program has expanded to cities across the U.S., including Los Angeles, Seattle, Atlanta, Dallas, San Francisco, Tucson, and Washington, D.C. This year’s celebration in particular looks back at the progress we’ve made in the U.S. since the Cuyahoga River caught fire in 1969 because it was so polluted! The Challenge encourages people to understand how important it is to protect our water resources through individual actions as well as steps we can take in our communities.

Calculate Your Water Footprint

To begin, calculate your own water footprint: how much water you use personally, at home, in your community, and more. The calculator asks basic questions, like whether you leave the water running in the sink. But it gets at some surprising issues, as well, like raising awareness about how much water is needed to produce the sandwich you ate for lunch, and how much electricity it takes to power your computer.

I have to confess, I pretty much never think about water use in those terms, so calculating my footprint was pretty eye opening.

Once I had that perspective, I took the pledge (which was a quick 5 minutes) and vowed to repair leaking faucets, pipes, and toilets, wash only full loads of laundry and dishes, and take shorter showers.

The pledge surprisingly connected the dots between wasting food and water (their slogan is, “Save a crop, save a drop!”). It also reminded me to turn off sprinklers when it rains (which should be a no-brainer, but often is not), and scoop up pet waste so it doesn’t get washed into a storm drain and end up in a stream or river.

Diane’s Results When She Took the My Water Pledge

My water footprint calculator already showed that I was doing a pretty good job of saving water. I only use 1,117 gallons a day, compared to the average 2,233 gpd.

This is how much water I’m using now compared to the average – pretty good!

But what surprised me was how much water I could save in a year by making good on my pledges: 68,376 gallons!! Whoa.

Look how much water I can save when I make good on my pledge!

In addition to saving all that water, I’d save over $800 and reduce my climate-changing carbon impact by 280,000 pounds of polluting carbon dioxide.

Take the My Water Pledge by April 30!

The Wyland National Challenge for Water Conservation is having a big impact nationwide. In addition to raising awareness about the need to protect and save water, it motivates people and communities to do their part. To date, U.S. residents have made over 1.6 million pledges to make small but meaningful changes in their daily lives to ensure healthy waterways and a sustainable supply of fresh, clean water.

The challenge runs until April 30. Why not take the My Water Pledge today?

When you do, remember to join in the prize giveaway for a chance to win a reward (in addition to the reward of saving water). Last year, the Challenge awarded more than $50,000 in prizes to nearly 300 residents in U.S. cities. This year, they’re giving participants the opportunity to designate their favorite charity for the chance to win a 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

And do share on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, using these hashtags:

#cleanwater #healthyoceans #mywaterpledge

I’ve blogged a lot about saving water. Here are a few more posts to check out:

10 Ways to Save Water Outside and Cut Your Water Bill by 50%

We’re Drinking the Same Water as Cleopatra. Is It as Clean?

Water. Use It Wisely.

NOTE: Partnerships with organizations like the Wyland Foundation enable us to provide you with the expert content you need to lead the greener life you want. Our editorial opinions remain our own. Thanks!

The post Why I Pledged to Save 68,376 Gallons of Water This Year! appeared first on Big Green Purse.

What You Can Learn About Water Treatment from the Flint Water Crisis

admin — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 21:49:47 +0000

There are many places around the world where people do not have access to safe drinking water. Here in the U.S., we often take safe drinking water for granted. After all, if you are thirsty all you need to do is to turn on a tap and fill up your glass. What was once considered a basic need fulfilled, however, has been called into question ever since the Flint water crisis occurred.

We invited Dynamic Water Technologies to provide some analysis of the Flint water crisis and also explain the solutions it’s developed for safer water treatment. Dynamic Water Technologies is a commercial and industrial water treatment company that is committed to healthier water treatment that eliminates toxic chemical additives and reduces water use by improving resource management. Here is their guest post explaining how the crisis in Flint occurred and the solution they propose.

How Did the Flint Water Crisis Occur?

In 2014, the city of Flint switched to the Flint River as its drinking water source. Previously, the city had been using Detroit River water, which was cleaner and healthier.

The first sign that something was wrong was when residents began to complain about the color and taste of the water. It was later announced that total coliform bacteria and e.coli were being detected in the drinking water. To address this issue, officials simply added chlorine to the water as a disinfectant measure.

There was, however, no anti-corrosive agent added to the water, as well. It was perhaps this considerable amount of chlorine that led to the lead pipes that carried the water corroding even more quickly. Unfortunately, this was not discovered until much later. It was months after the fact that the residents were informed about the dangerous levels of lead in their systems because they’d been drinking the contaminated water.

Prior to the lead being discovered, there was still something for Flint to worry about. This was the presence of total trihalomethanes in the water supply. This dangerous substance occurs when chlorine combines with organic matter present in the supply. TTHM has long been considered a carcinogen. Despite being aware of the TTHM, officials were slow to make adequate changes.

Hundreds of People Suffer

It took a long time for people to get the answers that they wanted. When the dust settled, what became apparent was shocking. Through sheer oversight and the lack of necessary equipment, disaster descended upon Flint. Hundreds of people, including children, suffered because relevant safeguards were not in place.

What happened in Flint was a tragedy, but not completely unheard of. This is because when cities or corporations use outdated methods of water treatment, issues like corrosion and infection always arise. To prevent such problems from occurring in the future, communities, companies, and industries need to find a better way to cleanse and treat the water they drink.

The Solution to Future Water Problems

There are many innovators who witnessed the Flint water crisis and decided to create better, cleaner ways of giving people pure, fresh water. Companies like Dynamic Water Technologies have designed systems to ensure that the issues plaguing Flint become a thing of the past.

Essentially, what the company has come up with is an improved way of processed water treatment. This is an automated system that protects and improve water quality in two important and unique ways.

√ First, it balances the pH of the water. This is important because it is an imbalance of the pH that leads to corrosion. In turn, this is what causes metals like lead to leach into the water supply.

√ Second, there will be no more need to put any harmful chemicals into the supply with this system in place. Sanitation will be maintained, but there will be no use for disinfectants that are typically harmful to humans.

What is revolutionary about the methods that Dynamic Water have used is that it does not require external chemicals to kick start reactions.

Instead, all that is done is that an electrical current is introduced into the water supply.

This is done with the help of electrodes that are made up of either iron or aluminum and situated in the supply.

When the current is passed, partial electrolysis of the water takes place. In turn, this causes the contaminants to approach a more stable state that tends to be more solid in nature.

The hydrophobic tendency of the new state of the contaminants will make them easier to remove from the supply. The contaminants that can be removed with this method include lead, mercury, chromate, and even domestic sewage.

These are easy alterations that water treatment facilities can implement within their current processes. In addition to helping to keep the supply clean, it will also help these facilities save money in the long run.

Of course, just because the solution exists does not mean that municipalities will use it. It is important for more people to be aware of modern water safety technologies that are currently available. With citizens advocating for safer, healthier water treatment, drinking water in every city in America can be protected.

NOTE: We believe it is important to bring additional sources of expertise to you so you can make better choices for yourself, your family and your community. We look forward to your feedback and will be happy to respond to requests for information on the issues you care about most.

The post What You Can Learn About Water Treatment from the Flint Water Crisis appeared first on Big Green Purse.

14 Smart Ways to Water Your Garden During a Heat Wave

admin — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 17:43:24 +0000

What are the smartest ways to water your garden during a heat wave?

Is it so hot outside, your garden is wilting even before the sun rises or after it sets? Mine sure is!! The only hope is to keep your vegetables and bushes watered. But how can you do that without spending all your time holding a hose? And all your dollars on a high water bill? Big Green Purse collaborated with Gilmour, which makes a very reliable garden hose, to offer you this list of smart ways to water your garden during a heatwave to help you out.

There are two secrets to water your garden during a heat wave:

The equipment you use
When and how you water

Here are 14 of the best, smartest ways to water your garden without wasting a lot of H2O or time.

1. Check your sprinkler and hoses for leaks.

“A leak as small as the tip of a ballpoint pen can waste 6,300 gallons of water,” says the U.S. EPA’s Watersense program.

It’s easy to spot a leaky hose because water shoots out of the hole. Sprinklers will spray around the place where they attach to the hose rather than send all the water through the sprinkling mechanism.

Next time you turn on the water, take a quick look. If you see a hose spurting, patch it up with duct tape. If your sprinkler is squirting, tighten the nozzle where the hose attaches to the sprinkler.

2. Let it drip.

Not your faucet. A drip irrigation system, which delivers water directly to the bottom of the plant so it can easily seep into the ground and moisten the roots. Though landscaping companies can install snazzy systems, you can also set one up yourself less inexpensively. Take a look at what Dripworks has to offer, for starters.

3. Use a timer.

If you want to set up your sprinkler and then go about your daily routine, use a timer to automatically turn the water off after a certain amount of time.

4. Can it.

A watering can or pitcher can be the perfect way to water newly planted seeds and seedlings. Using a pitcher, you can deliver the right amount of water to each seedling. Gently sprinkle water overhead to moisten the soil.

5. Try a rain barrel.

Set up a rain barrel next to a shed, garage, or your home, and capture rain water coming off the roof. You can put a rain barrel on each corner of the building if you want. Use the spigot on the bottom of the barrel to drain water into a watering can, or attach a hose. Rain barrels come in handy when rainfall is scarce and you don’t want to use your home water source to keep your garden alive.

This is Helpful! If You Don’t Have a Rain Barrel, You’re Losing Water and Money

6. Use your cooking water.

If you steam or boil vegetables, use the nutrient-rich water after it’s cooled to nourish your plants. This works easily for plants you have on your patio or porch.

7. Reuse fish tank water.

Do you have a pet fish whose tank you empty? That water will be full of nitrogen and phosphorous, great for some plants.

8. Water early in the morning and when it’s not windy.

Water early in the morning and when it’s not windy. The morning is the best time to water grass as it gives the water a chance to seep into the ground rather than evaporate in the hot sun or blow away from the plants that need it. If you have to water during the day, water plants that are in the shade as opposed to those in full sun.

9. Mulch.

A two-inch thick covering of shredded pine bark, composted leaves, or other organic materials will help the ground retain water and reduce evaporation.

10. Try worm poop.

“Vermicomposting” is the process of using worm castings (poop) to increase the organic content of the soil, which will help it retain moisture. You can add the castings themselves. Or you can let worms do the job in place.

You probably don’t want to introduce worms to your garden when it’s miserably hot and dry outside, but you can plan on adding them next spring. The more compost and organic matter you add to your soil, the more likely it will be attract worms and keep them alive.

You Want Me to Try Worm Poop? Yeah, Really…

11. Dig in some compost.

Like worm poop, well-decomposed organic compost helps the soil stay loose and retain moisture, which is great for plant roots. If your soil is primarily clay, it won’t hold water at all. If it’s too sandy, the water will drain away. Compost builds great soil that retains moisture and adds other nutrients that plants need.

Don’t Miss: Compost: Crack for the Garden!

12. Xeriscape.

Plant flowers, vegetables, and bushes that do well in the amount of rainfall that falls in your region in an average year. Once established, these plants should require little additional water. Here are some sources for regionally-appropriate plants to choose from.

13. Group plants according to their water needs.

For example, impatience need a lot of water; hostas, not so much. Make a beautiful color statement by grouping all of your impatience together, which will make them easier to water with one fell swoop.

14. Reduce slope erosion.

If you have hills or steep banks, strategically place boulders or ties to help reduce runoff, or landscape into terraces to stop water from slurrying off the hill rather than seeping into the ground.

How else do you water your garden during a heat wave?

NOTE: Collaboration with partners like Gilmour enable us to bring you the expert content you need to live the greener lifestyle you want. All editorial opinions remain our own.

The post 14 Smart Ways to Water Your Garden During a Heat Wave appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Are You Using Your Secret Weapon to Save Water?

admin — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 17:23:36 +0000

It’s time to treat your toilet like the special secret water-saving weapon it is!

Throughout the month of April, which is officially “Earth Month,” and leading up to Earth Day, we’re going to be featuring companies that are doing an extraordinary job to help protect the planet by being more environmentally responsible themselves.

Mansfield Plumbing is one of those companies. The Perrysville, Ohio business is a leader in manufacturing highly water-efficient toilets, one of your home’s secret weapons when it comes to saving water. The company is setting a great example on how to run a sustainable business, too. It recycles millions of pounds of waste plaster, paper and wood each year and is reducing the amount of water its manufacturing facility uses by between 10 and 30 percent. In fact, about 10,000 tons of its scrap material is actually being recycled into the aggregate that paves the roads leading up to landfills!

Here’s more about the water saving toilet products the company makes and why you should select your next toilet from Mansfield Plumbing.

Why Do You Need a Water Saving Toilet?

The Summit 1.28 Gpf (gallons per flush) toilet from Mansfield Plumbing meets WaterSense criteria.

America is running out of water. Droughts related to climate change are taking a big toll. But so is factory farming, and industrial oil and gas operations, like “fracking,” which consume enormous quantities of water that ends up polluted and unusable for generations.

As water becomes more scarce, it gets more expensive. It also becomes more important to use the water we have wisely. In our homes, one of the biggest ways we waste water is by flushing the toilet.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t flush! Of course we have to!!

But do we need to use so much water when we flush? Not by a long shot.

That’s why a high-efficiency toilet is your secret weapon when it comes to saving water.

Every time a toilet is flushed, water is used to remove the waste from the bowl.

But how much water a toilet uses is the issue. Many “old fashioned” and out-of-date toilets may still use as much as 6 gallons of water per flush. That might have been fine before so many areas of the country faced drought. But in this day and age, we just can’t afford to use that much water to dispose of our body waste.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency created its WaterSense program to encourage companies to manufacture and sell water saving toilets (and other water appliances and fixtures) that get the job done using far less water than common toilets.

“WaterSense has estimated that if all old, inefficient toilets in the United States were replaced with WaterSense labeled models, we could save 520 billion gallons of water each year,” says Adriana Miller, product manager for Mansfield Plumbing.

“That’s roughly the amount of water that flows over Niagara Falls in about 12 days.

“This change to low-flow toilets is something that every homeowner can do right now to help save water and celebrate Earth Day every day throughout the year.”

WaterSense-rated toilets use just 1.28 gallons per flush (GpF) or less.

“These high efficiency toilets (HETs) save water in the home, which can help our environment, and reduce yearly water bills for consumers. It’s a win-win situation,” says Mansfield’s Miller.

And here’s another benefit:

Water saving toilets earning the WaterSense label — like many offered by Mansfield Plumbing — have been certified to be at least 20 percent more efficient without sacrificing performance.

If you’re wondering just how much water and money you’d save by switching to a WaterSense model, Miller recommends homeowners visit the Water Savings Calculator at the Mansfield Plumbing website to determine just how much water and money a family can save by investing in a WaterSense-rated toilet with a powerful flushing system.

HOW MUCH WATER CAN YOU SAVE?

The Brentwood high efficiency toilet (HET) from Mansfield Plumbing uses just 1.28 gallons per flush.

⇒ A family of four can potentially save 16,206 gallons of water each year (with an average five flushes a day per person) when installing a 1.28 Gpf toilet over a 3.5 Gpf toilet.

⇒ That equates to about $81 in savings each year.

⇒ When installing a 1.0 Maverick or Quantum toilet, the figures drop even further, to saving 18,250 gallons of water yearly or about $91 in water bills.

“For many areas of the country, it’s not about the cost savings, but about the fact that there simply isn’t enough water availability,” says Miller.

“Taking the step to invest in HETs makes good sense for communities, the environment and for homeowners.”

I took my own advice and bought a WaterSense toilet. (That’s it on the left.)

Miller points out that several states (including California and Texas) mandate the use of WaterSense-rated HETs for all new residential and commercial construction.

But whether your community requires WaterSense toilets or not, why not make the switch?

Otherwise, you’ll keep flushing unnecessary water – and money – down the drain.

The post Are You Using Your Secret Weapon to Save Water? appeared first on Big Green Purse.

How to Tell if Your Water Contains Lead

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 21:38:38 +0000

Is your drinking water contaminated with lead?

The crisis in Flint, Michigan has got all of us worrying about the safety of our water.

To recap: A study conducted by the Hurley Medical Center in Flint shows that the proportion of infants and children that have above-average levels of lead in their blood has nearly doubled since the city switched from getting water from the city of Detroit to using water from the Flint River.

The move was designed to save financially-strapped Flint money. But that decision turned out to be penny wise, pound foolish.

The Flint river is horribly polluted. Half of the pipelines that deliver water to Flint households are made of lead, which is leaching into the water supply, along with iron that is also eroding from the city’s water mains.

Excessive amounts of lead place adults at higher risk for cancer, stroke
and high blood pressure, reports Pennsylvania State University.

At even greater risk are children, whose rapidly growing bodies
absorb lead more quickly and efficiently.

Lead can cause premature birth, a reduced birth weight, seizures,
behavioral disorders like ADHD, brain damage and a lower IQ level in children.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers lead the
most serious environmental health hazard for children in the United States.

You should take it seriously too.

First, Test Your Water For Lead

The only way to know whether your tap water contains lead is to have it tested.

“You cannot see, taste, or smell lead in drinking water, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. “Therefore, you must ask your water provider whether your water has lead in it.

“For homes served by public water systems, data on lead in tap water may be available on the Internet from your local water authority.”

The U.S. EPA publishes annual Consumer Confidence Reports, though data is not available for all states. Check here to see if you can find information on your locality.

If your water provider does not post helpful information, you should call and find out.

Ask Your Water Authority These Two Key Questions:

1. Does my water have lead in it above EPA’s action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb)? If not, no action is needed. If yes, CDC suggests you ask the next question:

2. Does the service pipe at the street (header pipe) have lead in it? This is very important. If the pipe at the street (header pipe) DOES contain lead, lead in the tap water may be coming from that pipe or pipes connected to it. Like in the case of Flint, it’s also possible that the water itself is contaminated.

4 Actions You Can Take Immediately If You Discover Lead in Your Water

1) If at all possible, eliminate the source of the lead.

2) Until the lead source is eliminated, switch to bottled water if you can. Especially use bottled water for making baby formula, for mixing with food, and for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

3) If you can’t, flush out your water pipes before using the water, especially when your taps have been off and water has been sitting in the pipes for more than 6 hours.

a. Before using any tap water for drinking or cooking, run high-volume taps (such as your shower) on COLD for 5 minutes or more.

b. Then, run the kitchen tap on COLD for 1–2 additional minutes.

c. Fill a clean container(s) with water from this tap. This water will be suitable for drinking, cooking, preparation of baby formula or other consumption. To conserve water, collect multiple containers of water at once (after you have fully flushed the water from the tap as described).

4) In all situations, drink or cook only with water that comes out of the tap cold.

Water that comes out of the tap warm or hot can contain much higher levels of lead.

NOTE: Boiling lead-tainted water will NOT reduce the amount of lead it contains.

In fact, some scientists think it could make the problem worse because, as water evaporates during the boiling process, the lead will concentrate. Use bottled water for boiling potatoes, rice or spaghetti until you get the lead problem fixed.

If you do choose bottled water, read the label on the bottle carefully or contact the bottling company to make sure the water they use is lead-free.

What If Your Own Home’s Lead Pipes or Plumbing Are Contaminating Your Water?

First, test the water. You can contact your state lead program for information about water testing in your area.

Inspect the aerator on the end of your faucet. Remove any debris, especially metal particles.

Again, flush water lines before using the water for drinking or cooking.

If you own your own home and discover the water lines contain lead solder, you may need to replace them to be safe. Contact your water authority for information about replacing water service lines.

Unfortunately, you will probably have to bear the financial burden of replacing the pipes if they’re within your home.

Bathing and Showering

As for bathing and showering, EPA says both should be safe for you and your children, even if the water contains lead over EPA’s action level, because human skin does not absorb lead in water.

However, elevated lead in water can cause skin rashes and in some cases, open sores, even if you don’t drink it. Besides, kids have a tendency to drink the water when they’re showering or bathing. Find an alternative if at all possible.

To be on the safe side, take a sponge bath with bottled water, or shower at the local public pool and recreation facilities, if that is at all feasible.

What About Water Filters?

If you opt for installing a filter on your taps or your whole house water system, it must be NSF- certified to remove lead. You can check the brand name/trade name/model here.

Whatever the source, if you find elevated lead levels in your drinking water, take it seriously, act immediately, and monitor your health and the health of your family for any signs of lead poisoning.

The post How to Tell if Your Water Contains Lead appeared first on Big Green Purse.

If You Don’t Have a Rain Barrel, You’re Losing Water and Money

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 15:00:25 +0000

Rain barrels have been popping up all over my neighborhood lately. I live in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., and water is expensive here.

It can also be scarce in the summer, especially in the hot months of July and August, when flowers are in full bloom and trees and bushes are supposed to be growing.

None of that happens if the plants don’t get enough water. In fact, I’ve had a lot of vegetables, azaleas, hydrangeas and even hundred-year-old oak trees die for lack of moisture.

Why Rain Barrels?

We’ve turned to rain barrels for three reasons:

1) They’re a free way to collect water.

2) They reduce our water bill.

3) They reduce run-off and help manage storm drain and sewer overflow.

How Does a Rain Barrel Work?

→ A rain barrel is a big barrel, usually a 55 gallon drum made from heavy duty plastic or wood, that collects and stores rainwater from a roof.

→ The barrel is attached to a gutter that drains water off a roof. So, rather than all the water draining down into the gutter then out into your yard or the street, it drains into a barrel you can use whenever you need water.

→ A lid keeps mosquitoes and debris out.

→ A hose connects to the bottom of the barrel to make it easy to drain the water out.

You can install a rain barrel at each corner of your house, a garage, a shed, a barn, or any other structure with a roof. This one my neighbor installed blends completely into his garden.

How Much Will a Rain Barrel Save You?

The U.S. EPA says rain barrels can save most homeowners about 1,300 gallons of water during the peak summer months.

Lawn and garden watering make up nearly 40% of total household water use during the summer, so using a rain barrel to get water for free is pretty much a no-brainer.

Plus, capturing rain water from your gutters rather than letting it flow aimlessly onto your property or into storm drains significantly reduces the impact of runoff into streams.

A rain barrel is an easy way to get clean, fresh water to use outdoors for free.

Where Can You Get a Rain Barrel?

Of course, we sell rain barrels in our very own Big Green Purse store on Amazon. Here are three we like:
[show-logos orderby=’none’ category=’rain-barrel’ activeurl=’new’ style=’normal’ interface=’grid’ tooltip=’false’ description=’false’ limit=’0′ ]

Most hardware stores and stores with gardening departments sell rain barrels, including Ace, Lowe’s, Home Depot and WalMart. You can also find them online if you search “where to buy rain barrels.”

Gardener’s Supply sells options that include a double barrel system with the couplings you need for your hoses. Plow & Hearth sells a beautiful terra cotta urn whose top serves as a decorative planter to hold flowers.

Rain barrels can cost over $100, and upwards of $200 or more. You’ll eventually save that money on your water bill. But you can also make your own water barrel. Care2 shows you how here.

The post If You Don’t Have a Rain Barrel, You’re Losing Water and Money appeared first on Big Green Purse.

7 Ways to Shrink the Size of Your Water Footprint

admin — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 16:00:51 +0000

You’ve probably heard about your carbon footprint. That’s the amount of carbon dioxide you generate when you use fossil fuels, like coal, oil, gasoline, and natural gas. Your carbon footprint matters because it indicates what you’re contributing to the global problem of climate change.

Knowing your carbon footprint can help you figure out where you can save energy and shrink your footprint overall. If we all took our footprint down a few sizes, we’d make a big dent in the rate that climate change is increasing. The same goes for water.

Why Shrink the Size of Your Water Footprint?

In many parts of the U.S. and in many regions of the world, clean water supplies are shrinking so rapidly that knowing our water footprint has become essential if we’re going to use the water we have wisely.

√ Only 1 percent of all the world’s water can be used for drinking (nearly 97% is salty, and the remaining 2% is tied up in the polar ice caps and glaciers).

√ There’s no “new” water. Though H2O cycles through a series of phases – as water on the ground or under ground, precipitation as rain, snow or sleet, and back again – the actual amount of water on earth is finite. We have just what we have, so we need to use it wisely.

√ You use more than you think. Right now, in America, on an average day, you’ll probably use about ninety gallons of water, which amounts to about 107,000 gallons for the year – enough to fill your bathtub almost 3,000 times.

We use water to grow lawns, wash dishes, rinse food, shower and shave, and let the tap run when we brush our teeth. About 14 percent leaks down the drain.

Older toilets waste more clean water in a single flush than many Africans use in an entire day.

Find and Fix Leaky Faucets & Toilets Before Drips Drain Your Wallet

We use water indirectly, too. Every product we buy has its own water footprint, and part of that footprint adds to ours every time we consume.

If you’re a “meat and potatoes” kind of person who loves to shop, your water footprint will be significantly larger than that of a vegetarian who is into recycling, swapping and sharing.

How to Measure Your Water Footprint

→ Read Your Water Bill. The easiest way to measure your direct water footprint is by reading your water bill. Most of us receive a monthly or quarterly bill from the utility company that supplies us with water. Look for these two pieces of vital information in every bill:

1) Your “average daily consumption” that is typical per person in your area.

2) How much water per person per day is being consumed in your household. My bill also shows how much water overall I used during the billing period, which in our area is every three months. I keep my bills for a year and compare them from bill to bill. Doing so, I can see both how much water I use and when I use the most.

My water usage is actually only about 50 gallons per person per day, compared to the “typical” person in our area, which is 70.

I also use almost twice as much water in the summer as I do in the winter, probably because I’m making more iced tea, taking more showers to cool off when it’s hot and muggy outside, and watering my garden.

Confused?

If you find your water bill confusing, you can try the clever Water Footprint Calculator created by Grace Communications Foundation. There are many calculators online, but I like this one because it’s got state-by-state options and the graphics are clever. When I took it, it calculated that I use about half as much water as the average American! It also suggests these ways to reduce the size of my water footprint even more:

7 Ways to Shrink Your Water Footprint

1) Take shorter showers. For every minute I shorten my shower, I can save 2.5 to 10 gallons of water (depending on how much water is coming out of the shower head).

2) Turn off the faucet when brushing teeth. That could save 4 or more gallons of water each day.

3) Use a dishwasher. Believe it or not, dishwashers are far more efficient than hand washing dishes, because you can wash so many more dishes at once. Hand washing one load of dishes can use as much as 20 gallons of water, compared to an energy-efficient dishwasher that clocks in at as little as 4.5 gallons. NOTE: If you must wash dishes by hand, don’t leave the water running nonstop. Fill a pot with rinse water, use a sponge to rinse off all the dishes, then soap them up and rinse them off.

4) Wash clothes less. I don’t mean that you should wear dirty clothes! But much of our attire – like blue jeans, sweaters, dress clothes – don’t need to be laundered if they’ve only been worn once. Washing less will extend the life of your clothes, as well.

5) Fix all leaks. And I mean all! Check bathroom, kitchen and bathtub faucets, toilet tanks, hose attachments outside, and any place else where water can just leak away. Fixing leaks will save you money on your water bill, too.

6) Replace your thirsty lawn with native plants that require less water. If you must have a lawn, water it deeply and during the cooler parts of the day, to promote healthier root growth and to make sure most of the water goes into the lawn rather than evaporating into the air. If planting new plants, choose those that can tolerate the amount of rainfall normal for your area. Don’t miss this post:

8 Best Natural Alternatives to Growing Grass

7) Eat less meat. I’m not much of a meat eater to begin with, which is good when it comes to water. FYI, it takes over 1700 gallons of water to produce just one pound of beef, so switching to a plant-based diet helps reduce your water footprint significantly.

To get a sense of how much water other products use, check out this handy reference at National Geographic.

And remember: don’t just pay your water bill the next time it comes. Read it closely to see how much water you’re really using.

The post 7 Ways to Shrink the Size of Your Water Footprint appeared first on Big Green Purse.

3 Big Reasons Why You Should NOT Wash Your Car at Home

admin — Tue, 19 May 2015 17:26:08 +0000

If you think it’s “greener” to wash your car at home, here are three big reasons to think again.

1) Use more water. Most people who wash their cars at home do it with a rag in one hand and a hose running in the other. Depending on the flow of water coming out of the hose, you could end up using close to a hundred gallons of water to wash one car. Most automatic car washes use between 40 and 60 gallons of water per car, which still gets the job done because the water is sprayed using high-intensity nozzles that require less liquid to wash off the same amount of grime. At self-serve car washes – where customers use a coin-operated device like a spray gun to wash off their cars – water use per car may drop to as little as 12-18 gallons per vehicle.

Look for the WaterSavers logo to ensure your car wash saves and recycles water.

2) Waste more water. If you wash your car on the driveway, on the street, or in a parking lot, the water you use will simply run off into the nearest sewer. A big advantage of a car wash is that it usually captures waste water, then either recycles it on the spot to re-use in the initial rinse-off cycle of the automatic wash, or sends it to a waste water treatment plant.

3) Pollute more water. Water that’s been used to wash a car can contain a wide array of pollutants. On top of all the dirt and grime on the car itself, there may also be automobile fluids, like oil, antifreeze and transmission fluid. Plus, conventional car wash detergents usually contain chemical compounds like hydrochloric acid, naphthalene, methylene chloride, sulfuric acid and phosphates. When all these chemicals run off into sewers, they ultimately end up in our waterways. They can pollute drinking water and cause problems for fish, frogs, turtles, birds and other wildlife.

Many states require commercial car washes to meet specific requirements for using water wisely. Get to know the car wash in your community and ask what steps they are taking to conserve and recycle water and to use non-toxic cleansers and detergents. Look for a car wash that adheres to the water-saving guidelines suggested by The International Car Wash Association. To be a certified WaterSaver company, the car wash must agree to limit automatic car washes to 40 gallons of potable/fresh water per car, and all water discharged must be routed to water treatment centers or a septic system. Plus, the car wash must meet all local pollution control criteria.

If you do decide to wash your car at home, be water-smart and limit pollution, too. Here’s how:

√ Don’t keep the hose running. Instead, fill a bucket with soap and water and use a sponge to wash one section of the car at a time. Rinse using a high-intensity nozzle that you can easily turn on and off. Pour dirty water down your utility sink drain or even the toilet, so it will eventually end up at a water treatment facility.

√ Park the car on gravel or a lawn, rather than on a driveway. You can minimize run-off by washing the car on a surface that can absorb the water.

√ Use non-toxic cleansers that will cut grime and grease without polluting the water. The biodegradable, fragrance-free, phosphate-free liquid soap you use to wash your dishes will do the job just as well on your car. Here are our top 10 tips for healthy, green car care.

√ Add a little “elbow” grease. Use reusable sponges with a soft scrubber surface on one side to get rid of persistent dirt and crud like bird doo without scratching the paint.

√ Wipe up the interior with fragrance-free and plant-based cleansers. Most car washes – even the ones that use water wisely – still spray industrial-grade cleansers on the inside of the car. Instead, opt for plant-based sprays that won’t give you a headache or otherwise make you ill. Leave the windows open for a few minutes after cleaning to air out the car.

Here’s More on Green Car Care:

Healthy Green Car Care: Top 10 Tips

The post 3 Big Reasons Why You Should NOT Wash Your Car at Home appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Find & Fix Leaky Faucets & Toilets Before Drips Drain Your Wallet

admin — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 05:28:29 +0000

How much money are your leaky faucets and toilets costing you? And how much water are they wasting?

I asked Karen Wirth, the education and outreach coordinator for EPA’s WaterSense program, why we should bother to fix leaky faucets when it can be such a pain, and expensive, too, if you need to call a plumber. Here’s what she had to say (and I think it’s pretty convincing):

You might be able put up with the occasional drip-drip-drip after you turn off the water from your morning shower. Or think nothing of having to jiggle the handle after you flush to quiet your old toilet.

But these easy-to-fix leaks could be wasting more than 10,000 gallons of water each year—what you use to wash 270 loads of laundry—and worse yet, adding 10 percent to your water bill.

Maybe you’re intimidated by the thought of tackling leaks at home, or think it will be expensive. But in many cases, repairs don’t require a major investment or a plumbing license.

Take toilets, for example. Leaks are usually easy to hear. You can also identify silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank at the back of your toilet. Wait 10 minutes. If color appears in the bowl, you have a leak. (Make sure you flush afterward to avoid staining!)

In many cases, a rotting or faulty rubber toilet flapper is the culprit, and can be easily purchased for a few dollars at any hardware store and installed without tools. A running or broken toilet may be a larger problem and may require a licensed plumber; HomeAdvisor estimates that hiring a plumber to fix a toilet can cost $120 to $190.

But if you take into account the fact that a running toilet can waste as much as 21,600 gallons of water per month and cost your family more than $2,000 extra in annual water charges, that’s a small time and money investment for the payback. Consider using the Green Plumbers® locator to find a professional who has completed accreditation training in environmental issues and water-efficient technology.

EPA’s Fix a Leak Week

To inspire you to spring into action to make your home leak-free, EPA’s WaterSense® program has declared March 16 through 22, 2015, Fix a Leak Week. Here are three easy steps you can take this week to make leaks less of a drain on our natural resources—and YOUR Green Purse:

1. Check. Start your leak check by looking at your January or February water bill. If your winter monthly use was higher than 12,000 gallons for a family of four, you probably have a serious leak. You can also check your water meter (it’s usually outside the house) before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the reading has changed, something’s leaking.

2. Twist. Over the course of a year, a faucet that’s leaking just one drip per second can waste the amount of water needed to take more than 180 showers! Twist and tighten pipe connections with a wrench, or use pipe tape to seal where showerheads are shedding. To save even more water without a noticeable difference in flow, twist on a WaterSense labeled faucet aerator in your bathroom.

3. Replace. If you can’t fix the leaks with your own DIY skills, it might be time to replace the fixture. Look for the WaterSense label (above left) associated with toilets, showerheads, and bathroom sink faucets and accessories that are independently certified to use at least 20 percent less water and perform as well as or better than standard models. That means you won’t waste time double-flushing or waiting for a weak spray to wash your hair.

Need more inspiration? Visit the WaterSense website to learn more about how to find and fix leaks or watch this simple animated short video. And if you do take the plunge and repair a leaky fixture, tweet a photo with #IFixLeaks to show your skills at saving water and money!

Karen Wirth is EPA’s WaterSense education and outreach coordinator. She has worked in a variety of program areas at EPA, focusing for the past 17 years on water issues.

The post Find & Fix Leaky Faucets & Toilets Before Drips Drain Your Wallet appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Are You Taking A WaterSense Shower?

admin — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 20:25:00 +0000

I’m a big fan of WaterSense, the program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that inspires companies to produce appliances and gadgets that help people like you and me save money. When I needed to replace my toilet last year, I made sure it met the WaterSense standards, and when I’ve purchased water timers for my garden, they’ve been WaterSense models, too. This month, WaterSense is focusing its attention on showers, since conventional showers waste so much H2O. I invited Karen Wirth, EPA’s WaterSense Marketing and Outreach Coordinator, to explain why it makes sense to take a WaterSense shower. Here’s what she had to say:

The shower is a place where we wake up, wind down, or just have a little “me” time in an otherwise hectic day. But did you know it’s also one of the most common places indoors where you might be wasting water, energy, and money?

Showering is one of the leading ways we use water at home, accounting for nearly 17 percent of residential indoor water use. The average family uses about 40 gallons of water daily in the shower alone. That adds up to nearly 1.2 trillion gallons used nationwide each year just for showering. Shaving just one minute off your shower time can save more than 500 gallons of water annually, as well as the same amount of electricity as it takes to run your laptop all year!

In 2006, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created WaterSense® as a label for high-efficiency plumbing products that not only use less water, but work as well (or better) than their water-guzzling counterparts. What’s more, we require products that earn the label to be independently certified to our rigorous criteria for both water savings and performance.

Take showerheads, for example. EPA requires WaterSense-labeled models to be tested for both spray force and water coverage in addition to water savings, so you can enjoy a relaxing and satisfying shower knowing you’re saving resources and doing your part for the environment. In other words, you’ll shower better.

And don’t forget, it takes energy to heat our shower water. Let’s say you take an eight-minute shower. If you’re using a WaterSense-labeled showerhead, every time you shower, you’ll save four gallons of water, plus the electricity it takes to light a 60-watt bulb for eight hours. For a whole family, replacing just one showerhead with a WaterSense labeled model can save 2,900 gallons of water per year, or the amount of water it takes to wash more than 70 loads of laundry! The average American family can also save enough energy each year to power their home for 13 days, and cut annual water and energy costs by more than $70.

In places like California, which is experiencing its worst drought in decades, saving water is especially important. Across the country, if every U.S. home replaced its showerheads with WaterSense-labeled models, we could save more than 260 billion gallons of water annually. WaterSense-labeled models are available in a wide variety of styles and price points, so you’re sure to find one that works for you. And, best of all, you’ll be making a simple change for the better.

In honor of EPA’s Shower Better Month this October, why not give yourself a green upgrade with a WaterSense-labeled showerhead? Many water utilities are offering free showerhead replacements or rebates on WaterSense labeled models; check out EPA’s website. Money isn’t all you will save, but it sure is a good start!

10 No-Brainer Ways to Use Water Wisely.

Meet My New Water-Saving Toilet

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