every drop counts: conserve water pamela r. turner, ph.d. laurie cantrell, mhs winter school -...
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Every Drop Counts: Every Drop Counts: Conserve WATERConserve WATER
Pamela R. Turner, Ph.D.Pamela R. Turner, Ph.D.Laurie Cantrell, MHSLaurie Cantrell, MHS
Winter School - January 22, 2008Winter School - January 22, 2008
Fun Facts about WaterFun Facts about Water
Human body is 66% water A living tree is about 75% water Almost 80% of the earth’s surface is
covered with water
Water is everywhere, so why Water is everywhere, so why do we need to conserve it?do we need to conserve it?
Water JeopardyWater Jeopardy
This much of the earth’s water is suitable for drinking.
What is ____________?
Average RainfallAverage Rainfall
7 ½ inches in Phoenix, AZ 15 inches in Denver, CO 22 inches in Honolulu, HI 36 inches in Seattle, WA 40 inches in New York City 50 inches in Atlanta, GA 67 inches in Mobile, AL 153 inches Ketchikan, AK
UGA encourages faculty, staff, students and citizens to conserve water as seriously low water levels in North Georgia and drought conditions throughout the state continue to threaten the water supply. http://www.uga.edu/aboutUGA/water_tips.html
Water Jeopardy Water Jeopardy
Category: Indoor Water Use Answer: 60 gallons
What is _________________?
Water Jeopardy Water Jeopardy
Category: Indoor Water Use Answer: 9.5 gallons
What is ________________?
Residential Indoor Uses of WaterResidential Indoor Uses of Water
Toilet – 26.8%Toilet – 26.8%
Clothes Washer – 21.7%Clothes Washer – 21.7%Shower – 16.7%Shower – 16.7%
Faucet – 15.7%Faucet – 15.7%
Bath – 1.7%Bath – 1.7%
Dishwasher – 1.4%Dishwasher – 1.4%
Leaks – 13.7%Leaks – 13.7% Other – 2.3%Other – 2.3%
Source: Awwa Research Foundation (1999)Source: Awwa Research Foundation (1999)
Water JeopardyWater Jeopardy
Households use less water during this time of day.
What is ____________?
How Much Water DoHow Much Water DoGeorgians Use?Georgians Use?
Gallons Per Person Per Day
Winter Summer Ranking Comment
50 to 65 65 to 80 Efficient GOODWater Saver
70 91 Average OKAverage
Exceeds 70
Exceeds 100
Inefficient POORWater Waster
Source: Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District Water Supply & Water Conservation Plan, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Water Conservation Plan Guidelines (Draft)
How much water do you use?How much water do you use?
Estimate the number of times you do the following on a day you are at home.ShowerFlush the toiletBrush your teethShaveDo a load of laundryRun the dishwasher
Estimated daily water useEstimated daily water use
1 x Shower 25 gallons = 2.5 gpm x 10 minutes
4 x Flush 32 gallons = 8 gallons x 4 flushes
[2 x Brush teeth] + [1 x Shave]15 gallons = 3 gpm x 5 minutes
1 x laundry41 gallons
1 x dishwasher15 gallons
TOTAL = 128 Gallons
Water Saver or Water Waster?
5 Easy Water Saving Tips5 Easy Water Saving Tips
Wash laundry & dishes with full loads
Always turn off running water
Take shorter showers
Eliminate any and all leaks
Reduce the flow of toilets & showerheads
WWash a full load of laundryash a full load of laundry
Average water use Older washing machine 41 gallonsNew washing machine < 28 gallons
For small loads of laundry, adjust the water setting to a lower level.
WWash a full load of dishesash a full load of dishes
Average water use:Older machine 8 to 15 gallonsNewer machine 4 to 7 gallons
Don’t pre-rinse, just scrape the dishes Just a few dishes?
Wash in the sink or a dish panRinse with sprayer or in a pan
AAlways turn off running waterlways turn off running water
Average faucet water flow:Older 2 to 3 gallons per minuteNew ≤ 1.5 gallons per minute
Turn the water on and off when:Brushing your teethShaving
Keep drinking water in refrigerator Defrost food in the refrigerator Compost instead of using the garbage
disposal
AAlways save clean running water lways save clean running water
Collect water in buckets while waiting for shower water to warm
Use it for: Watering indoor plantsMopping the floorHousehold chores
Gray waterGray water
Before reusing water or using “gray water” from bathtubs, showers, sinks and washing machines, contact your local health department. Several communities do not allow the use of gray water.
TTake shorter showersake shorter showers
Reduce your 10 minute shower to 5 minutes Save up to 80 gallons of water
Take a “navy shower”Turn the water off while you lather up
and shampoo Install a toggle switch to maintain a
consistent temperature Lower your bath water
Follow the 5-inch rule
EEliminate any and all leaksliminate any and all leaks
LEAKY FAUCETOne drop per second = 9.5 gallons a day
LEAKY TOILET15 gallons of water a day lost
FINDING TOILET LEAKSRemove the toilet tank cover and put in 5 to
10 drops of food coloring. Wait 30 minutes. If any color leaks into toilet bowl then you
have a leak and you should fix it immediately.
RReduce the flow of toiletseduce the flow of toilets
Almost half of the water used in a home is for toilets & showers.
Replace old toilets with new models using 1.5 gallons per flush (gpf) or lessToilets made before 1978 use 4 to 8 gpf1978 to 1993 toilets use 3.5 gpfSavings: 2 to 6.5 gpf
Reduce the water used per flushPlace a 2 liter bottle filled with pebbles or
sand in the toilet tank. Saves about ½ gpf
RReduce the flow of showerheadseduce the flow of showerheads
Measure water flowHold a bucket under the showerhead. Turn the water on full blast for thirty seconds.Measure the number of cups of water in the
bucket and multiply by two to get the number of gallons per minute.
Replace showerhead if over 2.5 gallons per minuteOlder showerheads use 3 to 10 gallons per
minute
Low-Cost Ways to Save WaterLow-Cost Ways to Save Water
ToiletFlush less oftenDon’t use it for a trash can
ShowerCut your shower time in half
Bathing (tub)Reduce water level to 1/3 full or 5
inches
Low-Cost Ways to Save WaterLow-Cost Ways to Save Water
Install aerators on faucetsReduce the flow from 2 to 3 gpm to
1.5 gpm Wash full loads of laundry & dishes Stop washing one dish at a time
Save up to 15 gallons by washing & rinsing in the sink or a dish pan
Low-Cost Ways to Save WaterLow-Cost Ways to Save Water
Change your teeth brushing and shaving behaviorsWet your toothbrush and then turn the
tap off (save about 5 gallons)Turn the tap on and off while shavingBrush your teeth and shave in the
shower
Long-Term Water ConservationLong-Term Water Conservation
ToiletInstall a low-flow or high efficiency
model that uses 1.5 to 1.3 gallons per flush
When shopping, look for the WaterSense label (www.epa.gov/watersense)
ShowerInstall a 1.5 gallons per minute
showerhead
Long-Term Water ConservationLong-Term Water Conservation
Clothes WasherReplace your old washer with a high
efficiency machine that uses less than 28 gallons per load
DishwasherReplace your old machine with a high
efficiency model that uses 4 to 7 gallons per load
Look for the Energy Star label (www.energystar.gov)
Long-Term Water ConservationLong-Term Water Conservation
Hot Water Insulate water pipes to get hot water
faster and avoid wasting water while it reaches the correct temperature
Install an on-demand or tankless hot water heater
SummarySummary
Water Conservation is about more than buying new gadgets…..
It’s about changing your habits.