Reducing Water Usage
Living in an RV really brings home the point of how much water can be reduced in any
establishment called “home”.
I wish I could say our original intentions were as honorable as water conservation,
but I would be a lying dog. When taking a shower in an RV, you tend to want to keep
the water running during the entire time. However, then you remember you only have a
60 gallon tank to hold all of your gray water. So, what to do??
Well, you learn very quickly to get wet, turn off water, soap up, turn on water,
rinse, turn off water. This goes for all water usage, brushing your teeth, or washing
dishes (whatever) very much like on a boat. But on a boat, you really are doing it
to conserve the limited fresh water.
What caught me totally by surprise, is this RV has turned me into a water miser. For
instance, watching someone brush their teeth on TV, I find myself getting more and
more irritated, when I realize it’s because Mr. Pearly Whites is leaving the water
flowing full force while he brushes. Slowly, methodically, each tooth, 400 times,
Let’s see, that should be enough water to irrigate say, the SAHARA DESERT!!
Staying in motels on out of town occasions, the luxury of a long lingering shower is
definitely the highlight of any trip. Yet, I get a pang of guilt for wastefully
lingering a wee bit too long.
As for as water is concerned, I have totally gone green, thanks to my RV. But you
don’t have to get as drastic as stopping up your septic or sewer lines to force
yourself into water conservation, nor does it have to cost anything. Just put a
brick in your toilet tank. Tape a note to the bottom of your mirror, above the
bathroom sink – “SHUT OFF THE WATER WHILE BRUSHING”.
Little things that add up. I know there’s countless more. Got any? Tell us, after
all, it takes a village.
Tags: bathroom sink, boats, brushes, brushing your teeth, fresh water, full force, gallon tank, gray water, green, guilt, leaves, living, miser, pang, pearly whites, sahara desert, septic, sewer lines, surprise, taking a shower, tank, toilet tank, washing dishes, water, water conservation, water rinse, water usage, wee bit
June 6th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I went RV camping a lot growing up. It taught me a lot water-saving tips I use to this day.
June 6th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
it is amazing what we learn as kids that we implement as adults!
Lindas last blog post..Reducing Water Usage
June 6th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Yep the value of water adds up by practicing the little things. I agree, when watching those commercials, instead of wanting to buy I want to go look up their contact information on their website LOL and write a scathing email! Here in Vegas water is precious – god only knows how long it will last…
Dianes last blog post..Why Blogging Is A Blast The Cool Resources You Discover
June 7th, 2008 at 8:58 am
I try to conserve a lot, but I have to admit that I like my long hot showers. I always feel guilty when I spend too long in the shower, but that does not stop me from doing it.
I go to my in-laws for dinner every week or two. Watching them wash the dishes afterwards makes me cringe. They wash them by hand, with water running full force as they walk around the kitchen grabbing stuff and gab. They then put everything into the dishwasher to be washed AGAIN. Huge waste! Most modern dishwashers are good enough, you don’t need to wash the dishes before hand!
Jasons last blog post..Reducing the waste: Trash Edition
June 7th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
thanks Jason and yes does it not drive you nuts! Oh well, maybe they will read both of our blogs and change!
Lindas last blog post..Dona Nobis Pacem
June 10th, 2008 at 11:41 am
I know that I do not have a concept of how much water I waste. A recent change we have put into some of our buildings are waterless urinals. Think of how many times a toilet is flushed? There is technology out there, but we are slow to adapt it. In the part of the U.S. I am in water is abundant. I think that hurts us from moving forward by thinking that “there is plenty of it around”.
John at Furniture Store Blogs last blog post..Modern Bathroom Vanities from La Roccia Part 3
June 10th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Hi Diane,
Water is just precious anyway.. however, where you are I know that the desert like conditions takes water by evaporation… hope folks will understand to start conserving.
Hi John,
Big Corporations have many flushes a day. Imagine the difference if they all put waterless toilets everywhere!
Lindas last blog post..WASTED