Save Some Water for the Fishies!

 

“ Save some water for the fishies!!”

 This is what I used to say to my daughter when she was very young and just learning the hand-washing habit.  To gently curb overzealous scrubbing, I’d remind her about other creatures of the world who needed water too.  She could relate given that her beloved goldfish, Popsie, gave her so much joy.

In honor of Earth day, I feel the need to do my part to preserve our environment.  One area I really could improve upon is water conservation.  I’m still that person who carries plastic water bottles from time to time (DON’T tell my Californian relatives!!) rather than refilling a thermos.  Perhaps if I share these startling statistics I just found with you, I will be more apt to clean up my own act:

 

 Water Conservation*

The average American uses 140 to 160 gallons of water per day.  This is an unbelievable statistic!!!  Here are some further breakdowns.  As you can see, there are things we can do to conserve how much water we use each day!!

~ To brush teeth (running water continuously) 2 to 5 gallons (turn off that faucet – do lunges around your room instead, like I do!)

~ To flush a toilet, 5 – 10 gallons (flush carefully!)

~ To run a dishwasher, we use 15 – 25 gallons (does this mean I don’t have to do dishes at all??)

~ To wash dishes by hand, we use 20 gallons (hmm . . . good reason to let the dishwasher do the dirty work.)

~ To water a small lawn, we use 35 gallons (much to my neighbors’ dismay, I REFUSE to water.  That is such a waste to me!!)

~ To take a shower, we use 25 to 50 gallons (maybe 3 minute showers isn’t such a bad idea . . . )

~ To wash a small load of clothes in a washing machine, we use 35 gallons (time to combine loads . . . or just don’t do laundary!!)

~ To take a bath, we use 50 gallons (yikes!)

*Information from EPA.org

 

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