Happy Earth Week! Throughout the week we will be sharing information about conservation, climate change, and pollution, and today is all about water!
Reliable and safe freshwater is a resource so valuable, it’s almost priceless. The collection and storage of this resource can be seen at great scale across southern and central New York at several massive reservoirs. Some personal favorites are Croton Gorge Park, Kensico Dam Plaza, and Rondout Reservoir. Hiking and viewing the sheer size of these waterworks puts into perspective the importance of having billions of gallons of water stored and ready for use.
Water from these reservoirs travels over 60 miles through underground aqueducts to fuel one of the largest metropolitan centers in the world – New York City. A modern marvel. These great works of engineering and masonry also highlight the importance of conserving water. Below are a few simple ways to help do your part in using water efficiently.
5 Ways to Conserve Water
1. Fix those leaks!
Fixing a leaky faucet can prevent wasting up to 20 gallons of water a day from a slow drip leak. A leaky toilet could waste up to 200 gallons a day!! Create a schedule to check sources of water in your home to catch leaks so they do not go unnoticed
2. Don’t waste a drop.
Small behavior changes and new habits can have long-lasting effects. Fill a large bowl of water when peeling or washing fruits and vegetables instead of leaving the faucet running. Use the leftover water on indoor or outdoor plants. When brushing your teeth, keep the faucet off!
3. Fill them up.
Run dishwashers and laundry machines at full loads to utilize all water used. In addition, scraping plates clean instead of rinsing them before putting them in the dishwasher saves water over time.
4. Time for an update!
Timely updates to household water fixtures can help with the conservation and efficiency of water use at home. Consider using low-flow showerheads and replace older model toilets with new WaterSense standards. In the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, or yard – updating older equipment can have a long-lasting impact.
5. Plant for the future.
Native plants have adapted to the regional growing conditions and rainfall rates and therefore require less water than other foreign ornamentals. A bonus for planting native is a better defense against predators as well as attracting local wildlife. Small adjustments could be raising your lawnmower cutting height (longer grass requires less water) and periodic mulching (deep mulch helps keep plant roots cool and minimize evaporation).
Fun Facts About Water
Water is extremely unique – it’s the only natural substance on planet Earth found in all three physical states (solid-liquid-gas).
If all the water in the atmosphere were to fall as rain at the same moment, the entire planet would get about 1 inch of rain.
A human can survive a month without food but only a couple of days without water.
Water is considered a “universal solvent” meaning it can dissolve more things than just about any other liquid.
The New York State DEC published total water use in 2018. Some of the percentages are quite surprising.
Want to Dive Deeper?
Visit EarthDay.Org to learn more about Earth Day and this year’s theme “Restore Our Earth”
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