Apr
12
It seems like everywhere you go, people are telling you we are in a state of drought, or water levels are low, or blah, blah, blah. What’s the big deal anyway? After all, isn’t 70% of the planet’s surface covered with water? With all that water, why should we have to worry about water conservation? How could we ever run into a situation where we run out of water?
While it is true that 70% of the planet’s surface is covered by water, 99.7 percent of that water cannot be used by humans. That means only .21 percent of the world’s surface is covered by water we can actually use. That number is a bit more daunting. So if these numbers are correct, for every 100 gallons of water on the surface of the Earth, less than one gallon is useable.
Another increasing concern in our water cares is the rise of water consumption each year. Between 1950 and 2009, the world population increased by over 250 percent growing from 2.5 billion to 6.8 billion. This drastic increase in population translated into a drastic increase in water consumption. Read more
Mar
22
Happy World Water Day 2013
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Every year in March we celebrate World Water Day, a day we learn more about, and appreciate more all that water does for us.
Water is a huge part of our lives, even here in Denver. Yet its not something we usually think about.We play in the water at one of the many recreation areas we have around town. We water our lawns with it. We use it in our homes. And we drink and cook with it every day. But celebrate it? Yep, that’s what World Water Day is all about.
This years theme is all about water cooperation. Everything we do – all human needs – are heavily dependent on water. And to provide water cooperation throughout the world, it is essential that we strike a balance between the different needs and priorities it takes to share this precious resource equitably throughout the world.
Right now, we have an increasing demand for water. 85 percent of the world population lives in the driest half of the planet. 783 million people do not have access to clean water and almost 2.5 billion do not have access to adequate sanitation. 6 to 8 million people die every year from the consequences of disasters and water related diseases.
And yet water is all around us.
Water is not confined to political borders. It crosses between borders of cities, states, countries and continents. And because water is so precious, fights invariably break out over who owns what, who polluted what, and what needs to be done for future consumption.
Yes, there are many good things currently being done – cooperation is a reality. Almost 450 agreements on international waters have been signed between 1820 and 2007.
To learn more about what you can do, visit World Water Day today.
Mar
8
Water Audit – The First Step In Eliminating Your Household Waste
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Protecting and preserving the planet and its resources is vital to future generations. If we do not take care of the planet now, our children and grandchildren will be the ones to suffer the consequences. If everyone will do their part – no matter how big or small – to protect the planet, the future generations will still have a healthy, vibrant world in which to live.
One way you can do your part is by eliminating some of your household waste. Your household waste goes beyond your garbage, which can often be reduced simply by recycling. Your household waste includes wasted energy and water as well. You can reduce the amount of energy you waste by installing energy-efficient appliances and lighting. To reduce the amount of water you waste, the best place to start is with a water audit.
A water audit is a method of tracking your water usage and finding places where you can make reductions. There are numerous places where you can reduce wasted water – however, many people simply don’t know where to start. These tips will help you begin reducing the amount of wasted water you home produces. Read more
Feb
27
Even though we’ve had a couple of great snowfalls this season doesn’t mean we’re out of the weather yet. Snow equates to water. And without water, we’ll be facing another season of drought this summer here in Colorado.
A large part of the country has been under drought conditions for many months. This has been especially hard on the states in “farm country”. If the farmers do not have enough water for the crops, everyone suffers. And even though you may not think of Colorado as farm country, we do contribute to the food supply in many ways. What we use in water here in the city has to be shared with those that grow in the agricultural parts of our state. Water is a problem, and most likely we’ll continue to be one well into the future. What you can do to conserve water? The following tips will help you do your part to conserve water in a drought.
Check for leaks and drips. A dripping faucet can waste thousands of gallons over a year. Repair any leaks and drips right away.
Reuse water for other purposes. For instance, if you have a half of a glass of water, don’t pour it down the sink – water a plant with it.
Install a low-volume toilet and aerators on your faucets to reduce the amount of water used with each flush and each turn of the faucet.
Never let the water run while washing your face, shaving, brushing your teeth, or washing the dishes. Read more
Jan
25
Its January in Denver – where’s the snow? Its hard not to notice how little snow we’ve had this season. And while Denver is down in total snow count, it’s the mountains we need to be most concerned with. Lack of snow means drought conditions this coming summer. Higher fire danger, water restrictions – we may be in for a wild summer once again.
While we can’t control the weather or the amount of snow we get, we can control the overall amount of water we use. Take a look at these tips and make sure you are doing everything you can to be water smart.
1. Never pour water down the drain if you can use it for another purpose. Empty your water bottle into your indoor plants or save it in your watering can.
2. Check for leaks throughout your home. Even the smallest of leaks can add up to thousands of gallons of wasted water per year.
3. Repair dripping faucets immediately. One drop per second can add up to 2,700 gallons of water per year.
4. Replace all fixtures with low flow or water saving features. In some cases you can even receive a rebate for installing.
5. Take shorter showers. Read more
Dec
27
Here in Colorado, worrying about our water supply is something we do. We can go months without rain or snow, leaving us wondering what will happen to our landscape next summer.
Water is something we can’t do without. Yet even though it is something we use and consume all the time, its also one of the biggest things we take for granted. Its there and we use it – why worry about it?
While we typically have water readily available, there are 10 important facts that will make you more informed about the importance of water.
1. 70% of the human body is made up of water.
2. Not all water on Earth is drinkable. Even though 70% of the earth consists of water, less than one percent is available for drinking simply due to its safety for human consumption. The rest of the water is either frozen, in the soil or located underground, making it inaccessible.
3. A large majority of the food we consume is filled with water. This fluid adds up to help you reach the recommended amount of fluid intake on a daily basis.
4. Water is recycled over and over again. The water that you drink, use to shower or wash dishes with was on Earth millions years ago. Read more
Dec
19
The weather all across our nation is wild and unpredictable. And here in Colorado as we face another month with very little moisture, the talk is turning once again to living with drought conditions.
There are various ways to conserve water, including taking shorter showers, avoiding watering your lawn or washing your car, and installing energy efficient showerheads and toilets in your home. One area that many people overlook is how much water is wasted waiting for hot water.
If you think about all of the water that simply goes down the drain because of its cold temperature, you will find yourself rethinking your next shower.
One of the easiest ways on conserving water – and one that can actually provide you with a convenience as well – is installing a warm water circulating system. One of the most affordable solutions you can add to your home, this system uses a small pump and valve under your sink where instant hot water is accessible any time you desire it. It only operates when the temperature of the water in the pipes reaches below 95 degrees, and turns off when the temperature reaches above that limit. Read more
Nov
30
What is Grey Water and How is it Being Used in Denver?
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When water comes into your home, you expect it to be clean. But what about when it leaves your home? Have you ever thought about the road it takes from there?
Water needs to go somewhere after it is used through the various fixtures within your home. Generally, two types of water are created through normal use in a home – grey water and black water.
Black water is the wastewater that comes from using the toilet or garbage disposal. Grey water, on the other hand, is the water that comes from using the washing machine, showers and sinks. The trend today is to find ways to recycle water and reuse it for other purposes. Denver has taken to the practice of recycling grey water to use in irrigation of landscaping.
Benefits of Recycling Grey Water
The most obvious benefit of recycling grey water is the reduced use of natural resources. When black water is recycled, it requires a large amount of resources to be used in order to filter the water. Nitrogen is most visibly present in black water and is one of the most harmful components of recycled water. This makes the recycling process very difficult and time consuming, using up a large number of resources. Denver has leaned towards recycling grey water because of its ease of transformation. Read more
Nov
9
You drink it. You cook with it. You use it every day.
Yet when was the last time you thought about its safety, or whether it was good or bad for you?
We’ve all heard the advice “don’t drink the water” when we head off to third world countries. But here in Colorado, its not something that crosses our minds. Is there a reason we should care? Should we test the water we use every day?
There are various ways to have your water tested, including through the department of health, state laboratories or private sectors that offer testing. Before you obtain the services of a private sector, take the time to ensure that they are certified by the department of health to ensure their legitimacy and accuracy in testing.
Reasons for Testing
Not everyone needs to have testing completed, but if you have any of the following issues or concerns, then it is best to have your water analyzed. Read more
Jul
27
Water is the liquid of life. Without it, we cannot survive.
Water is necessary for a variety of things other than survival. We use it to clean our homes, our bodies, our dishes, and our clothes. We use it for cooking, keeping our gardens thriving and our lawns green. Water is a refreshing change during the heat of summer – we use it for our swimming pools to keep cool.
There are many uses for water and there are even more facts that are interesting – here are a few things you may not know about water.
- When a baby is born, about 80% of their body weight is from water.
- The human body is made up of around 70% water.
- More fresh water is stored underground than on the surface. Read more
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- Quality 1st Plumbing website - Quality 1st Plumbing website
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