New program for homeowners focuses on water conservation
Four California homes earn official WaterSense status as part of a program that's similar to EnergyStar but focuses on home water conservation.
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Articles like this at least make people think about what they consume, whether it's energy use, water use, foodstuffs use, or materials use. While it may be short on technicals, and may seem to be aimed more at selling a certain product or products, it has done its job when it opens up a dialogue about how best to conserve resources.
Now, if only the "word" could be spread on a more universal level. I would imagine it being on this site is like 'preaching to the choir."
"And here’s a staggering figure: if all 500,000 new homes built in the U.S. last year had been built to meet WaterSense criteria, those homes would collectively have saved 5 billion gallons of water and more than $50 million in utility bills annually. "
This, and similar comments earlier in the article, are completely meaningless. Absolute numbers like this mean nothing; what matters is the percentage reduction in water/energy/money. There aren't even baselines provided for comparison..... More
Recycle your chamber-pot fillings onto your garden to grow tasty tomatoes.
Sure if you want to spread all kinds of potentially harmful germs all over you food that's a great idea.
You aren't really saving when you have to flush the toilet multple times or stay in the shower longer, both due to the low flow. If you want to conserve, recycle all of your water - get a well and septic system. Pump water out of the ground to use and put it back into the ground after its use.
This is a great idea if you live in the country. This way you allow nature to cleanse the water instead of using electricity and chlorine. But houses too close together end up polluting the ground. That is why in cities it won't work out the same. They have to use large treatment centers which require extensive use of electricity.
The house might save a substantial number of gallons of water, which requires electricity to process, if the owners are conscientious. One very good way to.... More
I'll argue that you will still pay the same amount for less water. The utility will just go to the PSC and get a rate increase, because they aren't making enough money. I'm not advocating waste, I'm just saying don't fool yourself.
Great article, but I don't think there should be a $ sign in front of 10,000 gallons.
