Every Drop CountsAnna Bulman, MPH student

Walden UniversityPUBH 6165-2Dr. Howard RubinSummer Quarter, 2010

Agenda

Background on water usage

Significance of water conservation

Practical Application

Expected Learning Outcomes

Important Points:

Water conservation is important.

It is easy to implement water conservation.

Water Usage in the U.S.

410,000 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) in 2005

Approximately 30,000 Mgal/d were for domestic use

Minnesota: 2,000 to 5,000 Mgal/d for total use (Kenny et al., 2009).

8 gallons of water = one tomato (Moeller, 2005)

Kenny, J. F., Barber, N. L., Hutson, S. S., Linsey, K. S., Lovelace, J. K., and Maupin, M. A. (2009). Estimated use of water in the United States in 2005. U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1344. Retrieved from

http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1344/pdf/c1344.pdf

Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental health (3rd ed.). Boston: Harvard University Press.

Water Conservation

2.3 billion people live in surface-water stressed areas

This will increase to 3.5 billion people by 2025

(Moeller, 2005)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7821082.stm

Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental health (3rd ed.). Boston: Harvard University Press.

Outdoor Water Conservation Water early in the day Mulch Use water-retaining organic

matter Grow xeriphytic species

Natural Resources Conservation Service. (n. d.). Water conservation. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Retrieved from

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/watercon.html

Aromatic aster Sideoats grama

Blue grama Pale purple coneflower

Compass plant

Rain Barrels

A rain barrel is: A container for collection and storage of water

It helps the environment by: Conserving water Decreasing pollution

The cost to build a rain barrel is: Only $30

Appoquinimink River Association. (n.d.). Rain barrels. Retrieved from http://ag.udel.edu/extension/horticulture/pdf/Appoq%20RainBarrel%20Brochure.pdf

Five easy

steps Making a Rain Barrel

http://ag.udel.edu/extension/horticulture/pdf/Appoq%20RainBarrel%20Brochure.pdf

Rain Barrel Tips Water collected is not for consumption or bathing.

Keep the lid on.

Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil each season.

Point overflow valve away from structures.

Store the rain barrel during winter.

Have fun and decorate.

Appoquinimink River Association. (n.d.). Rain barrels. Retrieved from http://ag.udel.edu/extension/horticulture/pdf/Appoq%20RainBarrel%20Brochure.pdf

Health Hazards of Consuming Rain Water

Rain water can be contaminated.

Acute or chronic health effects can occur.

Rain water must not be consumed.

Government of Western Australia Department of Health. (2008). Country rainwater collection. Retrieved from http://www.public.health.wa.gov.au/cproot/1806/2/Country_Rainwater_Collection.pdf

Zaslow, S. A. & Herman, G. M. (1996). Health effects of drinking water contaminants. North Carolina Cooperative Extention Service. Retrieved from http://

www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/publicat/wqwm/he393.html

Summary A lot of water is used in the United States each day.

Conservation of this water is important.

There are many practical ways to conserve water.

Making a rain barrel is one of them.

References• Appoquinimink River Association. (n.d.). Rain barrels. Retrieved from

http://ag.udel.edu/extension/horticulture/pdf/Appoq%20RainBarrel%20Brochure.pdf

• Government of Western Australia Department of Health. (2008). Country rainwater collection. Retrieved from

http://www.public.health.wa.gov.au/cproot/1806/2/Country_Rainwater_Collection.pdf

• Kenny, J. F., Barber, N. L., Hutson, S. S., Linsey, K. S., Lovelace, J. K., & Maupin, M. A. (2009). Estimated use of water in the United States in 2005. U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1344. Retrieved from http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1344/pdf/c1344.pdf

• Long Wood Herbal Supplements. (n. d.). Introduction to Herbal Supplements: Echinacea properties [picture]. Retrieved from http://www.longwoodherbal.org/herbs/images/large_echinacea.jpg

References Missouri Plants. (2005). Silphium laciniatum L.[picture]. Retrieved from

http://www.missouriplants.com/Yellowalt/Silphium_laciniatum_plant.jpg

Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental health (3rd ed.). Boston: Harvard University Press.

National Park Service. (2007). Wildflowers - Aromatic aster [picture]. U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved from http://

www.nps.gov/wica/naturescience/images/Aromatic-Aster.jpg

Natural Resources Conservation Service. (n. d.). Water conservation. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Retrieved from http://

www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/watercon.html

References Prairie Nursery. (2010). Sideoats grama seed [picture]. Retrieved from

http://www.prairienursery.com/store/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=145&zenid=66d2b66644d3ade122092ae41263b474

Wasowski, S. & Wasowki A. (2006). Image gallery: Bouteloua gracilis [picture]. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, The University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved from http://www.wildflower.org/image_archive/640x480/SAW/SAW_00541.JPG

Zaslow, S. A. & Herman, G. M. (1996). Health effects of drinking water contaminants. North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. Retrieved from http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/publicat/wqwm/he393.html

Resources Ecology Action Center. (n. d.). Clean water: Harvesting rainwater with

rain barrels, an old idea with a new following. Retrieved from http://www.ecologyactioncenter.org/clean-water/rain-barrels.shtml

Environmental Protection Agency. (2010). Water Conservation. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/p2/pubs/water.htm

Parris, T. M. (2004). Managing stormwater. Environment, 46(9), 3. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database, AN: 14916020

Pushard, D. (2010). HarvestH2O.com: the online rainwater harvesting community. Retrieved from http://www.harvesth2o.com/about.shtml

Soloman, S. (1993). Gardening without irrigation [online book]. Cascadia Gardening Series. Sasquatch Books. Retrieved from http://www.soilandhealth.org/03sov/0302hsted/030201/03020100frame.html