March 15 - 21 What's all the fuss about Water?

Water is the elixir of life; 80% of the earth's surface, 70% of our body weight. Did you know that only 1% of the water on earth is potable (drinkable).

It's hard to imagine a world with little drinkable water. But for many people around the globe that has become, or is becoming a reality. The movie FLOW (For Love Of Water), which came out last year, gives an in depth look at the crisis we are facing as we turn a blind eye to this life-giving resource as well as a hopeful look at what can be done.

David Garson reminds us, "to be stewards of this precious resource requires that we use it carefully . . . and at a personal level . . . Stewarding our precious and finite supply of water is an essential part of living an environmentally sustainable lifestyle."

As we are called to be stewards of the earth, let us remember all the ways water is useful to us - as well as how we best care for this precious resource.
Here are ideas from the "Green Living Handbook"

1 - find leaks in your home and repair them
2 - reduce water used for flushing toilets
3 - reduce the number of times you flush
4 - install water saving devices (low flow shower heads, faucet aerators . . .)
5 - reduce shower and bath water
6 - reduce water used in personal care (turn off water while brushing teeth, shaving, soaping up . . ._

7 - reduce water used to wash dishes
8 - drink refrigerated water
9 - minimize salt used by water softeners
10 - Check Water purity
11 - wash your car on grass or gravel (or better go to a car wash that treats and recycles the water)

12 - reduce the amount of water going in to the sewer system
13 - reduce water used on lawns and gardens (or better yet xeriscape your yard)
14 - reduce use of weed killers and fertilizers
15 - create a sustainable stream side ecosystem