Everyone spends a great deal of time and energy discussing the environment these days. Global warming, the oceans rising, strange weather events. Very few media events focus a great deal of energy on a much more serious problem, saving fresh water. There are some parts of the United States where droughts are so bad that people are using rain buckets to collect fresh water so they can water their plants when there is no rain because using sprinklers are prohibited.
Water is a precious resource in our environment. All life depends on it. Growing populations and ongoing droughts are running our fresh water resources dry, causing natural habitats to decline and impacting our everyday use of water.
People in industrialized populations should feel obligated to pay more attention to how we are using water, and how we may be wasting it. We must bridge the gap between our understanding of how important water is to our survival and what we can do to ensure that we have an adequate supply of clean water for years to come.
Here are 10 easy and practical tips for thinking "green" by saving the "blue".
1. Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
2. Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full, and you could save 1,000 gallons a month.
3. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk and save 80 gallons of water every time.
4. Only water your lawn when needed. You can tell this by simply walking across your lawn. If you leave footprints, it's time to water.
5. When you clean your fish tank, use the water you've drained on your plants. The water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, providing you with a free and effective fertilizer.
6. Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a leak. It's easy to fix, and you can save more than 600 gallons a month.
7. Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
8. Wash clothes only when you have a full load and save up to 600 gallons each month.
9. When you give your pet fresh water, don't throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.
10. Choose new water-saving appliances, like washing machines that save up to 20 gallons per load.
For more tips on how to save fresh water in your day-to-day lives, go to http://www.wateruseitwisely.com.
Of course, Mister Landscaper recommends using their products to save water as well. By utilizing Drip Irrigation and Micro Irrigation in your landscapes and gardens, you can save over half the fresh water you use every time you water. Imagine the impact that would make if everyone did that.