Water Conservation
Conserving water is good for the planet—and good for your wallet.
Choose an action (or two) from this list to fulfill your Water Conservation EcoChallenge. Once you’ve picked your EcoChallenge Actions, add them to your profile to inform and inspire your teammates.
Looking for a little inspiration? Check out Jon Blumenauer’s blog from his 2009 Water EcoChallenge.
For my EcoChallenge action(s), I will:
- Save 20 gallons of water per day by taking 5 minute showers
- Save approximately 12 gallons of water by following the slogan "If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down” at least three times a day
- Install low-flow toilets and faucet aerators at the office and at home
- Check for leaks: dripping faucets can waste 20 gallons of water a day
- Stop purchasing bottled water and turn to the tap instead
- Invest in reusable cups and pitchers instead of relying on a water delivery service at the office
- Limit the number of dishwasher and washing machine loads by only running the machines when they are completely full
- Collect rain water in rain barrels and use this water for outdoor water needs
- Start a compost pile and refrain from using the sink disposal
- Harvest household gray water: re-using just 5 gallons of water a day will save 75 gallons of water during the EcoChallenge
- Invest in water saving appliances (shower heads, faucets, toilets, dish and clothes washers): front load clothes washers save up to 7,000 gallons of water annually and over $100 a year in energy costs
- Sweep driveways, sidewalks, and gutters instead of using a hose
- Wash cars at the car wash (more efficient than doing it at home, and better for the rivers)
- Use toilet tank banks or float boosters to reduce the amount of water flushed
- Put mulch around the base of trees and plants to prevent water runoff and increase absorbency
- Plant drought-resistant plants, shrubs, and trees
- Insulate water pipes and the hot water heater to avoid wasting water while waiting for the water to heat up
- Put up signs in the office bathroom with a phone number or email to report water leaks and running toilets
- Re-examine landscaping, at home and at work: reduce the amount of lawn, choose native plants and create bioswales
Resources
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