Blog

Every now and then we stumble across something that really puts what we do into perspective. That happened recently when we read the Pacific Institute’s “Water Conflict Chronology” report. This report, which began in 1980 to better understand the connection between water resources, systems, and international security and conflict, details nearly every conflict involving water dating back to 3000 B.C.

The results are staggering. Looking at a study like this underscores how important it is that we value the water we have and work to ensure everyone around the world has access to the same vital resources we do. Something most of us take for granted each day is the same thing that has the potential to cause major conflicts around the world.

As we look at this study we should all be sure to think about the impact the next time we turn on the faucet, shower, or hose and realize how lucky we are and how valuable our water is.

Clean your car with just one glass of H2O - By: Ecolo President, Pierrick Bouquet

According to the International Car Wash Association, washing your car at home or in the driveway uses between 80 and 140 gallons of water. Also, washing your car at home releases contaminated water directly into the environment or into storm drains intended for rainwater causing pollution in rivers, streams and oceans.

Soon, water rationing and restrictions on car washing may come our way. In fact, some municipalities have already banned home car washing with a hose, enforcing the ban with citations and possible imprisonment for violators.

Ecolo Green Car Wash is a response to this problem, providing services and products that use the equivalent of JUST one glass of water to wash a car.

This product works and we certainly hope you use it (find out more at our website - www.ecologreencarwash.com). But this product or any other like it won’t succeed unless we change our behavior first. This isn’t just about saving water washing your car. It’s about preserving the future by changing the way you act in your everyday life.

Water - Use It Wisely invites you to check out its new video series, “Tinkling with Ryan.” The series provides regular entertaining takes on water conservation news and tips. In the first episode, Ryan shows you how easy it is to install a water-saving shower head. Believe me, if this guy can do it so can you.

Jeans. We all love them. We all have them. In fact, most of us have a lot of them. According to a Cotton Inc. survey, the average American owns 8.3 pairs of jeans. American teens average 11 pairs of jeans. As much as I love jeans I actually come in on the low end of this survey at 5 pairs, 2 of which I haven’t worn in years.

Having this many jeans already seems a bit excessive. But when you factor in that it takes 1,800 gallons of water to grow enough cotton to make just one pair of jeans, this suddenly seems to go far beyond excess. It’s unreasonable to suggest that we no longer buy jeans or condemn those that do. After all, jeans are as much a part of America as apple pie and angry political debates.

But armed with this statistic it does seem that we should find a use for the jeans we all have soaking up space in our closets. If we’re going to use the water to grow the cotton to make the jeans, let’s put our old jeans back to use.

So in addition to asking you to follow our more traditional water saving tips we’d also like to ask that you donate your old jeans. Make them useful again by donating them to your local Goodwill and we’ll dramatically reduce our water consumption. Not only will our environment thank you but so will the person you just helped get a new pair of jeans.

Remember how your mom would ask if you’d jump off a bridge just because your friend did? Of course you wouldn’t, but now some scientists are betting that if a group of friends jumped off that bridge you might very well follow.

What does this have to do with water conservation? Well, conserving water is about adopting behaviors and it turns out it’s far easier to adopt behaviors as part of a group than on your own. As ASU professor, Robert Cialdini found out, simply changing the wording on hotel towel reuse signs can contribute to saving 7 trillion gallons of water - a theory dubbed “social proof.”

Not convinced? Check out the study here.

December is typically the time to shop for others.  So, while you’re at it, why not consider a gift for your home and/or for the environment?  Water-efficient devices and appliances give back all year not only in terms of the amount of water saved, but also money saved on your water bill, wastewater bill and often even your energy bill.

With climate change being discussed by the media daily, these gift ideas are perfect to help reduce your carbon footprint.

• Front loading washers may cost a bit more, but they are more water and energy efficient.  The increased capacity means fewer loads of laundry.  Less water is used, so there is less water to heat.  And, the higher speed spin cycle removes more water, easing the dryer’s work load, as well.  A family of four can save 1,000 gallons a month.
• Water efficient dishwashers can also save you both water and energy. If your dishwasher is more than a decade old, newer dishwashers are now using one-third to  one-half less water. Save 1,200 gallons a year with a new water-efficient model.
• Low-flow showerheads provide amazing savings. Cut your water use dramatically by replacing a 4 gallon per minute (gpm) head with a model that uses 2.5 gpm or less and save up to 12 gallons or more for each eight minute shower. Multiply that out for a family of four and you’ll save up to 1,400 gallons of water monthly.
• High efficiency toilets are the latest and greatest water savers you can get for your home. This certainly has an impact – easily saving you up to 1,200 gallons a month. Think about  pairing it up with new flooring for the bathroom, since that’s the best time to replace a toilet.
• Landscape renovations can turn a thirsty landscape to a low water-using Xeriscape and can cut your outdoor water use in half. Since 50-70 percent of household water is commonly used outdoors, the savings can add up to as much as 50,000 gallons a year for an average sized yard.

If you’ve great a an idea for a holiday gift that can save water, please share it with the water world below in the comments section.  For 100+ other ways to save, click here.

Partnership Will Promote Simple Ways to Save Water, Energy

The City of Mesa Utilities Department has agreed to participate in a federal Environmental Protection Agency program that promotes water-efficient products. The program, WaterSense, aims to provide a national brand, designating water-efficient products that are about 20 percent more efficient than average products.

“Through this partnership with WaterSense, the City of Mesa solidifies its commitment to protecting water resources through efficient use,” said Utilities Conservation Specialist Janet Bunchman. “By promoting water-saving products to over 460,000 customers, we hope it will help consumers conserve water and reduce costs on their utility bill.”

The EPA program is designed to decrease indoor and outdoor water use through high efficiency products and simple water saving practices. The program helps customers identify water efficient products in the marketplace that have been independently certified for efficiency and performance and promotes water saving techniques that reduce stress on water systems and the environment.

The program is similar to the agency’s Energy Star program, which provides a brand logo for energy-efficient appliances. Certified products may bear the WaterSense label, which makes it easy for consumers to identify and select a variety of quality, high efficiency products and services for their homes and lawns.

“Here in Arizona, it is important to save water because it is such a precious resource,” Bunchman said. “A great deal of energy is expended heating and cooling water. By saving water we are saving energy too.”

For more information on WaterSense, including a full list of labeled water-efficient products and irrigation certification programs, visit epa.gov/watersense or cityofmesa.org/utilities.