Climate for Action: Conserve Energy Through Water Conservation
Posted on July 7th, 2009 - 3:00 PMTweet
The average family in the United States uses 400 gallons of water every day. We use it to cook, clean, drink, garden and for many other indoor and outdoor activities. Water is definitely an important resource to us all and is essential to our everyday lives. Unfortunately, to get this water to our homes it takes a lot of energy. Two to three percent of the world’s energy consumption is used to treat and pump water to our homes. And, the percent of energy that we need to treat and pump our water changes from region to region depending on how much the region consumes. In California, for example, about 20 percent of the state’s energy is used to treat and pump its water. Therefore, in order to conserve energy, it is important to conserve our water use within our homes. The EPA estimates that by practicing water conserving techniques, you can reduce your water use by 20–30 percent. By reducing your water use, you will be able to reduce your homes energy use and also be able to save some money and reduce your carbon footprint. And, it’s very simple to reduce your water use!!! Some simple things that you can do include:
- Listen for dripping faucets and running toilets. Fixing a leak can save 300 gallons a month or more.
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month.
- Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
- Find out more ways you can conserve water
Can you think of other things we can all do to conserve water? Be sure to let us know so we can all save energy by practicing water conservation.
About the author: Michelle Gugger graduated from Rutgers University in 2008. She is currently spending a year of service at EPA’s Region 3 Office in Philadelphia, PA as an AmeriCorps VISTA.
Tags: conservation, Leaks, Water
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Question of the Week
July 8th, 2009 at 5:45 am
I like bottled water actually http://www.water-cooler.com
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Anonymous reply on July 15, 2009 11:30 am:
Actually, bottled water is not as ecofriendly as one would think. It requires energy to make the bottles and bottle the water. Usually, the bottle is then disposed of maybe after a couple times of reuse. On the other hand, tap water is monitored more regularly than bottled water, so why not consume less plastic and drink tap water?
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watercooler reply on August 11, 2009 6:26 pm:
Well thats a good point – but what about the big bottles that are dropped off at work they for fill lots of people and are reused again and again
Mark
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Anonymous reply on September 10, 2009 7:30 pm:
well you see it takes alot of energy to make one of those what about a billoin and billions of bottles
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July 8th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Hi !
Energy conservation has become an increased priority around the world because of depleting energy sources. Conserving energy is not just an environmental issue as it can also save you serious money.
There are many good reasons to practice water conservation. Conserving water will help the environment, it will preserve our precious supply of drinking water, it saves energy required to transport, store and heat the water and it will save money on your water bill.
With Regards
Amrita
http://www.quality-web-solutions.com
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Michelle reply on July 14, 2009 4:27 pm:
I think this is a really important issue too – thanks Amrita
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July 8th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
HOLA! mi comentario es que por ejemplo en mi pais (Peru) falta mucho de concientizacion , ala gente le importa que el agua se vaya, y necesitamos tambien de programas como para llamar mucho la atencion y asi lograr que la poblacion observe a su entorno yse preocupe,vivo en una pequeña ciudad llamada JAUJA en los Andes centrales del Peru a 3311 s.n m. y tenemos aun agua limpia y tambien agua contaminada por la explotacion minera, que esto es mucho por de lo que se va por los caños malogrados,si bien, una de vuestras socias (Allyson Eliza ugarte) conoce bien nuestra realidad ademas quicieramos ella nos contacte, gracias y muchos saludos.
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July 9th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
We actually implemented a number of those solutions at home and have noticed a significant saving on our water bill!
Thanks,
Adam
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Michelle reply on July 14, 2009 4:31 pm:
Awesome – it is hard to believe that simple things like saving water by turning off the faucet while we’re brushing your teeth makes a difference – but it can save a lot.
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July 9th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Whatever methods of water conservation are applied, they will be overwhelmed by the demands of a growing population. To reduce consumption of water we must reduce the huiman population through peaceful family planning. Otherwise, the growing pollution will poison everything.
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July 9th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Yes, few realize that energy and water are so closely linked, it is true that a lot of energy is consumed pumping water till it reaches our homes. It is also true that there is currently a water shortage in many parts of the world including Southern California. It is time we did a serious re-think on the way we consume water.
If you are environmentally conscious and would like to reduce your water consumption, take a look at BeWaterWise.com which has a lot of good tips on how to save water at home, in the garden, in the office or school. Visit this link http://tr.im/rGcI
And do spread the word on water conservation, around.
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Michelle reply on July 14, 2009 4:33 pm:
This is a great site for information, thanks!
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August 13th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Another way to conserve is to demand that the large water user’s you frequent and patronize have in place appropriate conservation techniques. I like to golf, but I won’t golf where they practice wasteful watering techniques. I only golf at courses that utilize appropriate conservation techniques, recycling, gray watering, or technologies like SmartWater.
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November 8th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
You know like everything in life its the little things we do that make the difference
Like building a magnet generator
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January 14th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
It is amazing how much we waste as consumers. As we should all know that it is the little things that make all the difference. By switching our habits, we could conserve so much and better protect our own resources.
Visit this link Saving Residential Solar Power to find more ways to conserve in our own home.
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July 8th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
driving through palm springs you see plenty of fresh water wasted in the form of sprinkler water attempting to beautify the town. we need to conserve for future generations. especially in southern california because there is NO water there.
best wishes,
Daniel Son
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July 31st, 2010 at 7:13 pm
I’ve been seeing some really great water conservation efforts in NYC. A whole block of people are catching condensation for their air conditioners and using that water to water lawns, wash cars, bathe dogs, etc. People are really getting in to energy conservation.
The thing that irritates me is that it took this long. People in Africa have been conserving water for centuries. These people have less scientific data than anyone on water and yet they are the most advanced in conservation efforts.
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August 6th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Great article. I’m getting to it a little late, but a lot of good information found here.
People can also use rain or water barrels to collect water run-off from the roof. This water can then be used for landscape purposes or during times of water emergency (natural disasters, drought, etc.).
People can get at many different locations on the web.
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April 24th, 2011 at 3:36 am
You most definitely have made this blog into something thats eye opening and important. You clearly know so much about the subject, youve covered so many bases. Great stuff from this part of the internet.
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August 20th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
No mention of the mass amounts of watering by golf courses, although many use reclaimed water which does help in water conservation. Even an avid golfer understands there needs to be a balance in water conservation by golf courses.
D.B. Lloyd
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December 7th, 2011 at 11:56 am
Conserve energy through water conversation, awesome article, thank you for sharing with us, and this is very unique article, we love to read more from you.
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