Top 6 Ways to Conserve Water

For those of us in the Midwest of the United States or in Canada water seems so abundant it is hard to remember why this resource needs conserving.  Many cities are seeking to expand their water supply which automatically translates into higher costs for consumers.  Additionally, pumping water to and from structures requires energy which we know is not getting any cheaper.

  BASIC CONSERVATION:

1. Faucet aerators:  chances are that you already have one,
 but if your water comes out of the faucet in one solid  stream then you could acquire one of these to reduce your water usage.

2.  Low- flush toilets: Look like any other toilet so I'll spare you the picture, but they use 1.6 gallons instead of the 3.5 gallons used since the 1980's.

3.  Sonar - leak detection units:  water gurgles, hisses,or thumps as it leaks and these instruments can pick up the vibration.

ADVANCED CONSERVATION

A.  USING NATURE'S BOUNTY
   4.  RAIN BARRELS-  a simple method for getting the gardens watered between summer storms.  Could be used for many purposes in a pinch.

5.  Swales vs. Culverts:  gently sloping depressions that permit water to absorb into the soil instead of overflowing into streets or rushing it out to the local gully/river.

B.  RECYCLE and REUSE
   6.  GREYWATER RECYCLING:  Water from sinks, showers, and laundry can be reused (with minimal attention paid to detergents and soaps entering the soil) to water gardens and trees.

Greening Bloomington

  This week's readings have exposed me to what a multi-pronged approach city greening is for addressing many sustainability issues.  When the Bloomington Commission on Sustainability mentioned they were considering planting shade trees as an energy conserving strategy I thought it was rather lame.  Of course I am completely grateful for the ginormous poplar tree on the southside of my house.  It offers shade in the summer and in the winter when its leaves are down it does not obstruct much sunlight.  This is a great strategy for diminishing cooling needs in the summer.
  Bloomington has many other city greening projects that I am probably unaware of.  One I like is the planting of native species along the creek in Bryan Park.  This has created a wonderful habitat for local fauna.  Bloomington also has a great farmer's market as well as many thriving CSA (community supported agriculture) options.  Occasionally I meet people who are worried about the messy appearance of a vegetable garden in their yard.  I tell them; this is Bloomington, the person with the biggest garden wins.
     I think I will visit other classmates' blogs to see what is happening with water stewardship.  I do know that Bloomington has had its share of water pollution from PCB's and toxic coal ash dumps.  For more information go to:
bloomington.in.gov/documents/viewDocument.php?document_id=3001
bloomington.in.gov/documents/viewDocument.php?document_id=3013