Sunday, March 22, 2009

World Water Day


Yesterday was World Water Day. I talked to my kids about what they can do to conserve water. I confess I love a long hot bath or a really hot shower but I read a 5 minute shower with a regular shower head can use 25 gallons of water. We've got a reduced flow shower head so that helps.

When you consider that contaminated water and poor sanitation are a factor in 88% of all diseases in the developing world and that thousands of people die daily because of water-related diseases and parasites, it really makes you think twice about wasting a single drop. Also makes me wonder about the water slide we enjoyed on my birthday. A new level of guilt.

Talking about water I had someone give me one of those really nice desk top waterfalls as a gift a few years back. I really enjoyed it and thought it would be great in my bedroom so that I could feel like I fell asleep next to a babbling brook. As it happened I began waking up in the middle of the night needing to use the bathroom LOL so I moved it to the kitchen.

What do you do to conserve water? Any water related stories?

6 comments:

wend said...

I installed a second water butt a couple of years ago to water my plants through the summer and since then we have had rainy summers! I also make sure I only wash full loads in the machine and only take showers. We also had a new toilet with a more economical flush!
other WR

Anonymous said...

I've always wanted a fountain but worried that might be an issue. *g*

When brushing my teeth, I shut the water off while I'm doing the actual brushing. I have to admit I spend a lot longer in the shower than I probably should, but I can't seem to help myself.

Wendy Roberts said...

Wend, I've always wondered if the more economical flushing toilets do the full, um, job so to speak?

Tori, I can't seem to help myself either *sigh*

Dru said...

I take quick showers. It's really that fear of water falling on my head.

Anonymous said...

On the topic of water my son's university today just banned the sale of water bottles on campus and will be spending thousands on extra water fountains. My son loves water bottles, I guess I will have to puchase him on which is the kind that is used over and over not the plastic style. He doesn't feel he would ever use a public fountain even to fill up his water bottle. My other son is not the one to talk about taking shorter showers he actually will fall asleep in the shower in the mornings.

wend said...

I did wonder about the toilet flush myself but it would appear it is all in the design of the bowl as it 'does the job' better than the old one did!
and on the subject of water we're off the the Lakes today for a couple of nights - now where did I put my raincoat...
other WR