Saving water is really Do-able!

We've been trying to be water conscious in our house this Spring!

Back in February, I let you know that our water consumption was at 206.3 avg gallons/day.

Well, I'm thrilled to let you know that we have made a considerable dent!

In March, we lowered it to 187 avg gallons/day. Great progress!

In April ...

We have gotten it down 154.8 avg gallons/day.

That's a reduction of about 25%!

And guess what? We've actually lowered our bill even more than that because water usage, at least in our area, is on a tiered basis! The less you use, the lower your rate!

It feels great to know that little changes on our part are helping not only our family, but the world around us as well.

What did we do differently? Here are five simple things that we have started doing ...

#1: We just thought about it. We tried to be aware of water and using it.

#2: Stop the running water. Running water is the greatest waste of water, in my opinion. I've tried to not let the water run. At all. I fill a pot, then wash it. Then rinse it. I don't let the water run.

#3: Fill up the laundry loads. We don't run small loads anymore.

#4: If you know that you're going to have a lot of dishes, fill up the sink partially and rinse with the same dirty water before you put it in the dishwasher. It saves rinsing each individual item.

#5: Soaking. Let dishes soak before you scrub them to save water. You would be amazed at what will come off easily if it just has a little time to sit and soak.

The challenge ahead is the summer - when we take more baths and have a yard to tend, but I know we can do it!!

What are you ready to try?

Free Water Summer Science Kit

In keeping with encouraging learning and conservation ....

PUR is giving away Safe Water Science Kits to help you teach how water is cleaned and purified for drinking in developing countries and disaster relief situations.

Each Summer Activity Kit contains:

• PUR™ Purifier of Water packet
• dirt/contaminant
• stirring spoon
• 2 liquid containers

You’ll also be able to download all the lessonss you’ll need to complete your research from the site.
Each Safe Water Science Lesson:

• Addresses scientific and societal issues related to global safe drinking water problems
• Teaches a method used to solve these problems
• Helps students develop an awareness of safe drinking water issues in our world today
• Addresses National Science Standards
• Contains hands-on activities, cooperative-learning experiences, multi-media resources, and research opportunities
• Uses inexpensive, everyday materials
• Explores social action extensions, allowing students to apply the science they learn to the world in which they live

Request your FREE Safe Water Summer Science Kit here!

Thanks to Saving Dollars and Sense for this link!

Ash Wednesday ... the start of 40 Days of Water

From Blood:Water Mission ...

 

 [Please let me know if you are joining in during Lent so we can encourage one another!]

 

 

40 DAYS OF WATER STARTS TODAY! 

Here's how to begin:

 

REGISTER & CREATE YOUR PROFILE PAGE

We’ve put together this handy website for you to:

• Create your unique profile page
• Track your progress
• Share your experience with friends
• See who else is doing Forty Days of Water
• And, to eventually donate your savings to clean water projects in Uganda. 

Be sure to register and activate your account, so we can send you a Forty Days wristband in the mail and a physical scorecard to keep in your pocket. Remember to confirm your email after you register to be able to log in.

 

GIVE UP BEVERAGES

It’s a big commitment to not drink anything but water for Forty days. But from March 9 to April 23, that’s exactly what we’re asking you to do. By giving up what you'd normally drink in exchange for the water from your tap you can save that money to help build clean water projects for communities in Uganda. Imagine it this way, because $1 can provide a year of water for 1 person in Africa, with each drink you give up each day, you'll be providing years of water for someone else.

 

Be sure to visit the webstore to order a new Forty Days of Water bottle to remind you to head to the tap! By giving up what you’d normally drink in exchange for the water from your tap you can save that money to help build clean water projects for communities in Uganda. 

 

Also, in case you are wondering why there are actually 46 days between March 9 & April 23, Forty Days follows the traditional Lenten season calendar which consist of 40 fast days and 6 rest/feast days. You get to enjoy your favorite beverages one day out of the week, which will remind you just how much you miss them the other 6 days. most people take Sunday off. How you choose to observe Forty Days is up to you.
 

 

TRACK YOUR SAVED BEVERAGES

Ditch the morning coffee and o.j., leave out the lunchtime soda, and cancel the evening beverage in lieu of clean water from the tap. By sacrificing your daily routine, you will make a difference in the life of a person in Africa. If you’ve registered on the website and created a profile page, you can track your beverages online.

 

Also, if you’re the mobile savvy type, we’ve created a mobile site for you to track your beverages on the go. Visit 40days.bloodwatermission.com from your smart phone to sign in and start tracking.

 

 

GET OTHERS INVOLVED

During your Forty Days, there are a number of ways to get the word out about what you’re doing:

• Tweet and Facebook your friends. (Use the hashtag #40Days when tweeting to @bloodwater)
  Another great reason to follow us on your social network is to share the daily 40 Days Water Fact.  
• Blog or video moments from your experience. You may choose to keep a journal or record your thoughts or experiences along the way. Be creative. We’d love to share some of your stories to help inspire others. Tweet, email or facebook us -or- Share your story  here.
• Print these info cards to give out at places when people ask you why you’re drinking only water. It’s easier to do this with friends. Ask those you spend the most time with to take part with you.
• You can also ask people to donate to your efforts by directing them to your profile page on the Forty Days website and have them click on “Support my Forty Days”.
• After April 23rd, your donations can be handled online by clicking Donate on the Forty Days website, or you can send a check to: Blood:Water Mission, c/o “40 DAYS,” P.O.Box 60381 Nashville, TN 37206   *Be sure to write “40 Days” in the memo of the check.

 

We hope that through this experience you’ll be reminded daily of the privilege of having safe water at your everyday disposal, and that you gain a sense of solidarity with your neighbors in Africa. We also expect that your heart will be filled with hope that something can be done about the water crisis – and that you’re a part of actually doing it.

 

So get started... Head to the tap so they can go to the well.     40days.bloodwatermission.com

Forty Days of Water

From Blood:Water Mission ....

 

FORTY DAYS OF WATER | March 9 - April 23 | *no ark necessary

 

Whether you're excited or anxious, it's that time again. This Lenten season we're inviting you to again choose to make tap water your only beverage for 40 Days. Ditch the morning coffee and o.j., leave out the lunchtime soda, cancel the evening beverage, and especially cut out all the bottled water, drinking only clean water from the tap. By sacrificing your everyday routine, you will make a lasting difference in the life of a person in Africa.

 

By giving up what you'd normally drink in exchange for the water from your tap you can save that money to help build clean water projects for communities in Uganda. Imagine it this way, because $1 can provide a year of water for 1 person in Africa, with each drink you give up each day, you'll be providing years of water for someone in need.

 

All funds raised this year will benfit water projects in northern Uganda. Watch the video below to learn more about the restorative work in Lira, Uganda that needs your help.

 

Drink from the tap, so they can go to the well.

Water Conservation in Action

Another idea for how you can be globally mindful?

Blood:Water Mission is sponsoring a Forty Days of Water challenge.

They are challenging you to only drink water during Lent (Mar 9-Apr 23) and donate the money you save on other drinks to help build wells in Africa.

For us, that's when we go to Chick-fil-A, or out to eat. Could I manage to give up my morning coffee (even if it is decaf?)

Even if we decided to give $.25 or $.50 per drink every time we are eating out (since we normally get water anyway). Blood:Water says that it only takes $1 to give an African water for an entire year. $1.

Are you ready to do something?

Post a comment and let me know if you want to participate.

Water Conservation comes Home

In our house, we looked at our water bill and noted that in January, we used 206.3 gallons on average per day. Can we reduce that?

Here are 100 ideas for ways you can conservate water in your house. We are trying some of these and will let you know how we do this month!

Here are 5 quick ways that we are saving water:

1. Put the stopper closed when filling the tub for the kids.

2. Use the power of soaking dishes. A little water and 30 minutes can do wonders for cleaning dishes.

3. Stop the running water. Everywhere. We try not to let the water run. At all. Whether its washing hands, or washing dishes. You would be amazed at how much water goes just right down the sink.

4. Light load features on our clothes washer and dish washer get our clothes and dishes just as clean and take half the time and use half the water.

5. Reuse water that has been used. Especially when it comes to things like soaking, the water doesn't have to be perfectly clean to soak, since its a dish already dirty. So, if I have leftover pasta water, I'll pour that into a pot that needs to soak. The hot water breaks up the gunk and I've not used any extra water.

HERE are more ideas ....

Another idea? (To be continued)