Best ways to save precious water?  We all know the basics: installing low-flow toilets like the AmericanStandard FloWise, using low-flow shower heads such as these at the Earth Easy Shop and implementing an Energy Star qualified dishwasher and clothes washer…

But here are my favorite at-home basics for saving water without a major investment of time or money:

• Turn off the water while you lather up or shave, and while brushing your teeth.
• Wipe dishes off with a reusable rag instead of rinsing before loading the dishwasher.  (Use that dishwasher, it uses less water than hand washing.)
• Only operate washing machines and dishwashers when they are completely filled.
• If it’s yellow, let it mellow; if it’s brown, flush it down.
• Repair water leaks around the house.  These account for about 14% of the average household’s water consumption.  Find out how to check for leaks at the LCRA website.
• Avoid running the garbage disposal and creating trash at the same time.  Compost!
• Keep drinking water cold in the fridge instead of running water until it’s cold.
• Take a brief shower, not a bath.  A 5-minute shower = 12 to 25 gallons of water, a bath = 70 gallons.
• Buy organic – it helps reduce groundwater pollution.
• Instead of sprinklers, consider a drip irrigation system from the Drip Store.  They water more deeply and efficiently.  And remember, water early or late in the day to prevent water loss due to evaporation.
• Don’t use your toilet to flush small pieces of trash like tissues.  It can waste from 1.6 to several gallons of water per flush, (depending on how old the toilet is).  Use the trash can instead.

some wet links:
the water family.co.uk – log-in and play the game
h2ouse.org

Related:   previously on altCon – Water Day, 2007 (3.12.07)

English designer Zoe Murphy does some great re-imagining of old pieces of furniture. This recycled 1950′s set of drawers has been re-veneered and adorned with images from Zoe’s native Margate seaside. Colorful bespoke printed images make the recycled chest vibrate with new life.

find more of Zoe’s work @ zoemurphy.com via: recyclart.org

Here’s a garden gadget that is the antithesis of the traditional take-no-prisoners bug zapper.  Constructed from durable FSC Timber, the Insect Theatre collects solar power during the day and automatically lights up at dusk attracting moths, lacewings, butterflies and other nighttime flying insects into the Theatre.  The light automatically turns off at dawn to reveal the insects inside.  Bugs can exit the same way they came in.  You can create a little natural habitat for the insects by placing twigs or leaves in the Theatre through its side access door, which can also be used to remove insects to study.

The lower shelf has several solitary bee (they don’t sting) nesting holes as added habitat.

£29.45 @ ecotopia.co.uk via: envirogadget

A significant group of major airlines is committing to using more environmentally friendly, U.S. produced, alternative jet fuel.  The Air Transport Association of America, Inc. (ATA), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, announced today that a core group of airlines has signed a memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with two different producers – AltAir Fuels LLC and Rentech, Inc. – for a future supply of alternative aviation fuel.

Twelve major airlines from the United States, Canada, Germany and Mexico – Air Canada, American Airlines, Atlas Air, Delta Air Lines, FedEx Express, JetBlue Airways, Lufthansa German Airlines, Mexicana Airlines, Polar Air Cargo, United Airlines, UPS Airlines and US Airways – have signed MOUs with both producers.  In addition, Seattle-based Alaska Airlines and Honolulu-based Hawaiian Airlines signed the MOU with AltAir Fuels, and Orlando-based AirTran Airways signed the MOU with Rentech.  (more…)

This the fourth post in Theresa Gould’s series on her organic farming learning experience.

My husband, Robert, and I have had to go solo these past two Stateline Farm Beginning classes due to our childcare not being well and the fact the class is on Thursday evenings this month.  Hopefully in January when the classes go back to Saturdays, we can arrange for childcare for those full days.  It’s a little disappointing to be going separately, but we knew childcare would be our biggest challenge in taking the course since we don’t leave our children with just anyone.

Back to the task at hand – sharing what we learned from Class Number 4.  Class 4 focused on budgeting and cash flow.  My husband said it was definitely a numbers class as they went over a financial statement of one of the guest farmers who was speaking.  The farmer did a complete cash flow presentation.  She even shared how having laying hens and selling eggs is really unprofitable.  This is something we keep hearing over and over again from the farmers.  How sad is that?  Yet most of the farmers agree that selling eggs is necessary as it (more…)