On a recent trip to California we went hiking in Eaton Canyon just outside of Pasadena. The trail we were suppose to hike was closed because of damage from the rain. Not flooding but rather erosion due to the draught the state has been experiencing for the last few years. That’s right, years. Our ecotourism guide from Bikes and Hikes LA reminded us how it has been a hard lesson for residents to learn and I understand.
The issue of water conservation is something you think of for third world countries, desserts, areas where clean drinking water is hard to come by. That can’t be here? I mean look at the number of people in our neighbourhood that own in-ground swimming pools or the soon to be lush green lawns. How can we envision a water problem when I can turn on my tap whenever I crave a glass of water or a long hot bath? But water usage is a problem here too and if we’re not careful it can become a bigger problem.
Environmental conditions we can’t control but there are tasks we can implement in our daily routine to help curb our water wastage. One simple way is turning off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth. According to Colgate you can save up to 15 liters of water every day. Multiply that by every member in your family and see how the savings grows. Show your commitment by taking the #EveryDropCounts pledge now.
- Don’t use your toilet like a garbage can. It may seem easy to toss in fluff, crumbs, tissues, and simply flush them away but along with the garbage is wasted water.
- Only use your dishwasher or washing machine when they have a full load
- Rinse vegetables in a plugged sink with a little water instead of keeping the tap running
- Avoid running the water to just get a cold glass to drink. Instead keep a jug of water in your refrigerator.
- Add water into a small container to rinse your dishes when washing by hand instead of having the water running.
- Repair drips in your faucets by replacing the washers.
- Thaw meat the longer, safer way by storing it in your refrigerator versus the way your mom may have done it by placing it under a tap of cold running water.
- Install a water-efficient (or low-flow) toilet. It may be a slightly higher investment but sometimes you can find credit programs in your city to help save on up front cost.
- Running water in the shower to bring it up to temperature can waste a lot. Instead place a bucket under the tap. This water can be reused to water plants, feed pets, or even hand wash dishes.
- Try cutting your shower time a minute or two shorter. It won’t feel like much during your shower but it will add up over time.
Start simple with the #EveryDropCounts pledge, something we can all work into our every day ritual of brushing our teeth. Along with encouraging consumers to make an effort to save water, Colgate has and continues to incorporate water saving initiates in its business operations too such as reducing its manufacturing water intensity by half compared to 2002 and partnering with local and global organizations to bring clean water to underserved areas of the world.
My trip to California was a reminder that water shortage isn’t just an issue in underdeveloped countries. It’s easy to take our access to water for granted but if we don’t start making voluntary changes that access may change and not for the better. The #EveryDropCounts is a good first step. What other ways do you try to conserve water in your home?
This post was sponsored by Colgate but as always, experiences and opinions are my own.