Ways People Waste Water and How to Stopby Paisley Hansen | 10-11-2021 05:37 |
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Most people take water for granted. It covers two-thirds of the earth's surface, yet most of that is saltwater that can't be used for many things. If you stop taking water for granted, though, and think before you use it, water conservation can start and the planet will retain its supply of freshwater for generations to come. In the World The answer to the question, "What human activity uses the most water?" is without a doubt farming. The process of raising a cow to become food uses almost 700 gallons of water per steak. Consider the diners in just one restaurant. If they are all eating steak, that becomes an enormous amount of water. Crop farming isn't much better. Unfortunately, humans often try to grow food and textile crops in areas unsuited to them. This results in bringing water to the plants artificially. You can remedy this situation by switching to a vegetarian lifestyle. Also, try eating locally grown fruits and vegetables suited to your environment. They will need less water to mature. At Home The biggest waste of water at home is flushing the toilet. The only remedy for this is to replace old water-wasting toilets with more efficient ones. Washing machines come in second as users of water. You can trade in your machine for a more efficient one. You can also make sure you use the proper levels when you wash. Cleaning a handful of delicates on a high water setting uses much more water than necessary. Some people really overdo their personal cleanliness routine. Most college women, for example, would not consider leaving their dorms in the morning without showering. A trip to the gym later in the day will also be cause for a second shower in their eyes. In reality, showering too often is bad for both skin and hair. Even though it might seem like running a faucet is harmless and doesn't use much H2O, it all adds up so be mindful while washing dishes or other items by hand and shut it off when you aren't actually rinsing anything. Outside The suburbs are known for their lush green lawns but they are terrible for the environment. First, grass tends to go yellow or brown in hot, dry weather. This prompts homeowners to water it. In summer there are often drought restrictions from all of the watering. A better idea is to plant native wildflowers. Not only are they more colorful than grass and require no trimming, but they can also survive climate conditions that grass cannot. In addition, you will be providing food for butterflies and bees. If you must pamper some areas of your garden to keep your expensive plantings from dying, stand and spray areas with a hose. This uses a lot less water than sprinklers or just lying the hose on the ground to flood the area. It also gives you a chance to really look at your plants and see how they're doing. Obviously, the other big use of water in the suburbs is pools. The biggest thing you can do to conserve pool water is to keep the pool covered when not in use. Less evaporation means less refilling. It's also best to turn down the temperature a bit since hotter water evaporates more quickly. It may seem like in the world of water waste, it doesn't matter that much if you turn off the faucet while shaving or spend less time in the shower. However, if everyone does these things, it will add up and the world's water supply will remain safe for future generations. |
