Why conserve water:
- Fresh water is a precious and scarce commodity in the world.
- Develop the habit of rationing water, because sustainable lifestyle requires it.
- Reduce carbon emissions by using less hot water.
- Lower energy use at water facilities plants.
- Protect the local watershed from polluted runoff.
- Save money for other ministries.
Efficiency, Conservation, and Protection.
- Efficiency refers to products put in place to save energy and be Earth-friendly.
- Conservation refers to human actions to save energy and be Earth-friendly.
- Protection refers to human actions to protect Earth from degrading products and processes.
Efficiency actions:
- Purchase Energy Star appliances. www.energystar.gov.
- Put low flow aerators on faucets in kitchen, bathrooms, and wash stations.
- Install low-flush toilets. Or use toilet balloons in older toilets to reduce water use.
- Check faucets (+outside) and toilets regularly for leaks and runs. Repair immediately.
- Install push-button faucets in bathrooms.
- Set hot water temperature at moderate rate (around 140 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Install on-demand water heating system.
- Put blanket (at least 3 inches) around standard water heater.
Conservation actions:
- Do not let faucet run.
- Run dish washer only when full. Wash small loads by hand.
- Rinse dishes for the dishwasher in a bowl rather than under running water.
- Store drinking water in refrigerator. Do not let the faucet run until the water is cool.
- Avoid bottled water. Use safe water bottle to be refilled with tap water.
- “Bring your own” safe reusable water bottle to be filled for use outside the home.
- Avoid use of disposal. It uses a lot of water. Compost food scraps.
- Wash cars by hand (sponge and bucket) rather than in carwashes.
Water Outside:
- Use rain barrels to collect rain to water plants.
- Native grasses require less watering. Avoid watering lawn at all.
- Set the mower high to preserve moisture in the soil.
- Mow less often and leave the grass clippings on the grass as compost.
- Plant trees to provide shade that preserves moisture in the soil.
- Plant drought resistant shrubs and flowers.
- Use watering can rather than hose for plants and flowers. Avoid sprinklers.
- If you water at all, do so early in the morning or in the evenings.
- Put bird baths to provide water for birds, when and where it is safe for standing water.
Protect the Environment:
- Do not put toxic items down the drain: cleansers, bleach, detergents, and so on.
- Do not put grease, fat, or cooking oil down the drain.
- Make grease balls with nuts and raisin to hang for birds to feed on.
- Avoid use of pesticides or herbicides or weed killers. These will run off into the water shed and pollute local waterways.
- Plant a rain garden containing special plants with deep roots that absorb water so it does not runoff from roofs into the watershed or water ways.
Educational actions:
- Get the family on board.
- Put up reminder signs: Attend to water leaks. Do not let faucet run. Run dishwasher when full.
Advocacy and Public Witness:
- Restore degraded water habitats such as local streams and lakes.
- Promote the preservation of wetlands.
- Learn about water problems around the globe.
- Advocate for policies and laws to slow global warming.
- Oppose practices of extraction for oil, gas, or minerals that threaten water resources.