March 22 is World Water Day by Sura, March 21

March 22 is “World Water Day,” designated in 1992 to draw international attention to the plight of more than 1 billion people worldwide that lack access to clean, safe drinking water.

I hope the Tap Project has a strong pollution prevention aspect, and they aren’t underwritten by wastewater management companies.

Some thoughts on water:

• We need to close the loopholes which allow cities, countries and corporations to empty the Great Lakes. We need a Strong Great Lakes Water Compact.
• Which approach to clean water do we take — preventing its contamination or cleaning it up afterward? Our long-term focus needs to be on prevention of water contamination rather than on water clean-up programs, which ultimately benefit corporate interests by continuing to allow pollution and creating an opportunity for corporate intervention through river/lake/ocean clean-up programs and purification/filtration systems.
• We must all fight to keep our city’s water and waste water systems from being privatized and susceptible to corporate interests. Unfortunately, Milwaukee’s wastewater operation has been privatized for years. Efforts to keep it public failed this past year and a new contract was signed (not sure for how long).
• We need better rainwater runoff management, so that raw, untreated sewage doesn’t get dumped into the river and the lake.
• There’s a lot we can do individually to reduce our own water usage. Check it out:

Below is from: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wtd/waterconservation/tips.htm

How much water do you use?

Flushing the toilet 1.5-7 gallons per flush, depending on the design of the toilet
Taking a shower 3 gallons per minute, or 25-45 gallons for an average shower
Taking a bath 50 gallons
Running a faucet 3 gallons per minute
Dishwasher 25 gallons per wash
Washing machine 30-35 gallons per wash
Washing a car 100-300 gallons
Watering a yard 7 gallons per minute
Average used per person per day 66 gallons

Here’s how to start saving the gallons:

Don’t trash toilets and drains
Flushing trash, cleaning clogged drains and using the garbage disposal use gallons of water. Save water by preventing clogs and using the trash can for garbage -not drains or toilets.

• Garbage disposals and food waste-Use the trash can for grease, produce stickers and garbage. Only food waste down the garbage disposal.better yet, compost food waste at home or place it in your yard waste bin. See Food Waste Composting for more information.
• Sinks and showers-Reduce your need for drain cleaning. Keep hair out of the drain by using an inexpensive drain cover.
• Toilets-Since each flush uses water, don’t use the toilet as a trash can. Put only toilet paper in the toilet, and use the trash can for everything else-protect the sewer system, the environment and conserve water. See Let’s Talk Trash for more information.

Fix leaks
Leaking toilets and dripping faucets amount to 14% of indoor water use. Check your toilets for leaks by dropping food coloring in the tank. Wait 10 minutes to see if colored water leaks into the bowl. For more information on detecting and fixing leaks, view the Portland Water Bureau Web page (external link).

Low-flow is the way to go
Install low flow fixtures and save water with every use. Low flow toilets conserve up to four gallons per flush. Low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators can reduce water flow by up to 50 percent. Water efficient washing machines save water and energy and are easier on your clothes. To find out if a rebate is available in your area check the Web at Saving Water Partnership (external link).

Can’t switch out right away?

• Laundry and dishes. Wash only full loads of clothes and dishes. If washing dishes by hand use partially filled sinks rather than running water to wash and rinse.
• Toilets. Place a plastic bottle weighted with pebbles and water in the toilet tank as a water displacement device.
• Showers. Take a short shower–don’t linger in the tub! A bathtub holds up to 50 gallons of water, an average shower uses 25-45 gallons. Short showers also conserve energy used for hot water heating!

Keep a bucket handy
Collect shower and sink water that is wasted while you wait for it to warm up…and use it to flush the toilet and water houseplants or outdoor planters.

21 Mar 2008 | 5:56 pm | Water

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