Water

Water Saving Information
A picture of a stream. Although the world is covered by 70% water, only 2.5% of the water is freshwater. Of this, less than 1% is accessible for human use. And while water has the characteristics of a renewable resource, water appropriate for human use can become scarce if it is not used and managed sustainably. According to the United States Geological Survey (1995), the United States consumes 26,100 million gallons of water a day for domestic use. Domestic use includes water for normal household purposes, such as drinking, food preparation, bathing, washing clothes, and dishes, flushing toilets, and watering lawns and gardens.

www.mde.state.md.us/waterconservation
www.mde.state.md.us/waterconservation/fact.asp
www.awwarf.com
www.ca.uky.edu/enri/kwam2000/pdf/40galfct.pdf
www.epa.gov/OGWDW/wot/howmuch.html
www.gggc.state.pa.us/publictn/gbguides.html
www.waterwise.com
www.waterwiser.org/frameset.cfm?b=5

Rain Barrels
Picture of rain barrel Rather than wasting "new" water from the spigot, create your own Rain Barrel and use rainwater to nourish plants, trees, and lawns. It's quick, easy, and will save countless gallons of water.

www.dnr.state.md.us/ed/rainbarrel.html
www.arlingtonecho.org/rainbarrel.htm

Fixtures & Appliances
There is no greater waste of our most precious resource than a leaky faucet or pipe. To calculate the number of gallons, and dollars, going right down the drain, go to this great website:

www.waterwiser.org/

Water Efficient Fixtures & Appliances
Your toilet can use up to 4 gallons every flush! Showers and baths take up to 20 gallons per person per day. Here are some quick tips to install cheap and easy-to-install water fixtures. By using these measures, and being conservation-minded, you can save considerable gallons of water and the fixtures will pay for themselves almost immediately.

Don't...
Do not put a brick in your toilet to save water. Toilets are designed to flush a certain amount of water. If altered, all you'll end up doing is flushing more often - countering your intent.

  • Install a low-flow showerhead: You won't feel the difference and you'll save gallons every shower. If you're really ambitious, try a showerhead that you can switch the flow on & off while lathering.
  • Install faucet aerators: This diffuses the water stream, thereby saving water without sacrificing performance.
  • Capture rainwater for your garden: Why use "new" water when you can reuse nature's own sprinkler system.
  • Water your lawn ONLY at night: On a hot summer day, over 50% of water from lawn sprinklers is evaporated before it even hits the grass! Then another 25% is evaporated before the roots and stems can absorb the water. Don't waste - water when it's cool.
  • Install a low-flow toilet: Low-flow toilets use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush, thereby saving you up to 30% in water use.

Plumbing
There are many innovative plumbing options you can use in your home to dramatically reduce water consumption, especially the next time you remodel or if you are constructing a new home. An example of a composting toilet in an office building. An example of a waterless urinal.

www.buildinggreen.com/bg/sample/productDetail-2321.html

No Flush-Toilets:
www.waterless.com

Composting Toilets:
www.clivusmultrum.com/products.html

Waste Heat Recovery Systems:
www.pnl.gov/techfocus/gfx/gfx.htm
www.endlessshower.com/welcome.htm

Rain Gardens
www.mninter.net/~stack/rain

Wastewater/Greywater
www.greywater.com
www.clivusmultrum.com/greywater.html
www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/Greywater.html
www.nutricyclesystems.com
www.hydrologicsolutions.com
www.biomicrobics.com

Country Annual Water Use per Capita (Gallons) % Total Water/Residential % Total Water/Industry & Agruculture
United States 525,000 10 90
Canada 310,000 13 87
Belgium 221,000 6 94

* Provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

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Last updated December 10, 2004