One day doing the dishes, I noticed how much water was going down the drain. Instead of using a dishwasher, which uses a lot of water, I am happy to do dishes, the old fashion way, in the sink like Grandma used to. I've had dishwashers that I've never used come to think of it. Suddenly a thought popped into my head to grab a bowl and collect the rinse water for the plants.
So I did. I began using a large, ceramic bowl to catch the rinse water after cleaning the dishes. When the bowl filled up, I dumped the water into an empty plastic, cat litter container. When the litter container filled up, I watered my outside patio plants with it. That worked so well I began looking for other ways to recycle water. I've been doing this for two years now, and I wonder how much water I've saved. I have three aquariums and always water my garden with the old aquarium water, it is full of nutrients.
Water is becoming more scarce as temperatures rise, oceans rise, and populations rise. Learning to use less water, and learning to recycle the water we do use, is one way humans can help. All living beings on planet Earth need water for survival, ALL! So learning a few simple tricks to saving and recycling water, helps humans help themselves, help the planet, and help all living beings. This link from the Weather Channel tells of many different ways we can help save water: https://weather.com/safety/heat/news/conserving-water-drought-20120330
I was lucky to find a water barrel on the property after we moved in. I set the barrel up to collect rain water for watering the garden. I use the rain water mostly on plants that produce fruits, veggies, and nuts. Recycled water from the house can contain contaminants not good for food bearing plants, but rain water is deemed "clean water" for gardening. Here is a DIY link for simple instructions to making your own rain barrel: https://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/tools/make-a-rain-barrel-save-water/?slide=slide_8e895018-f5c7-47d2-82f4-fa72fd6eecd1#slide_8e895018-f5c7-47d2-82f4-fa72fd6eecd1
I save water by warming up my shower water by doing the dishes. This may not work for all folks depending on your water system, but I am lucky enough to be able to do it. I take a bowl of water, microwave it, add soap, wash the dishes, and collect the rinsed water in the bowl. By the time the dishes are rinsed and in the drying tray, the water is piping hot and ready for my shower.
This next link provides DIY information on making a rain barrel, placing the rain barrel, installing a rain filter, diverting rain water to gardens, collecting rain water for drinking, and more: https://www.wikihow.com/Collect-Rainwater-for-Drinking
There are many ways we can help save water, recycle water, and reuse water. Let's all pitch in by trying simple water saving exercises today, and everyday.
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