Water Conservation Initiative

I was tagged by Ee Lynn on the eve of the eve of Chinese New Year - and I am only now doing this!!! At the time, I was busy baking, and packing, and generally seeing that the home and the dogs would fare well while we were away.

And then, I forgot.

And then, I read about it in a few other blogs that I frequent.

And then, I rememembered lah ;)

And so, here it is:

Water is precious, yet it is being wasted or poorly managed. You can help promote water conservation by sending on this meme. If you do, simply follow these rules:

1. Create a blog entry entitled "Water Conservation Initiative".

2. Post the Water Initiative Network's Water Facts in your post.

3. List 3 things YOU will do to save water.

4. Add in the photo above, or any photo you have taken of a waterfall, river or lake.

5. End with the line: "Find out more about water conservation and good governance by joining the Water Initiative Network on Facebook! Visit us here at: The Water Initiative Network!

Tag 5 or more blog/FB friends. Be sure to copy the rules, okay?

~ WATER FACTS ~

1. Of every 100 drops of water on earth, 97 are too salty to drink, 2 are locked in ice and snow, and 1 is fresh water.

2. The daily requirement for sanitation, bathing, and cooking needs, as well as for assuring survival, is about 50 litres per person.

3. Reducing shower time from 20 mins to 8 mins saves up to 360 litres of water per shower.

4. A small drip from a faucet can waste as much as 75 litres of water a day.

5. Two thirds of the water used in a home is used in the bathroom. To flush a toilet, we use up to 9 litres of water.

6. Water-efficient toilets and washing machines are good ways to save water.

7. A low-tech way to save water is to form the habit of turning on the tap to low flow and turning it off when the water is not needed.

8. Non-revenue water (i.e. stolen or wasted water) constitutes 36% of water 'used' in Selangor, Malaysia, and this raises the cost of water for everyone.

9. Water supply infrastructure cost billions of ringgit. This money could be spent in more useful ways.

10. Large areas of forests are cleared to make way for water supply dams to accommodate our soaring demand for water. These forests and their wildlife represent our natural heritage.

~ 3 THINGS I HAVE DONE - and will continue to do - TO SAVE WATER ~

1. I have two dogs, and I have to clean up after them every day, twice a day. Instead of just standing there with the hose running, I've started using a mop, with some clorox. Works just as well. And no complaints from the neighbours. Yet.

2. I read long ago, that the best time to water your plants is in the evening. And that's what I've been doing. The water actually has a chance to reach the roots - instead of evaporating into the air and making everywhere more humid. Plus, the run-off from the plant-watering is just great for giving the patio a nice wash - think 'doggies were there'  :)

3. I will not wash my car too often ;)  Ok, granted, this is just me being evil because I just HATE washing the car!!! It is soooo hot, and the car is too tall, and I just get all hot and icky and the car stays clean for just one whole day before it reverts to the dusty thing it was to start with!!!!! BUT, I won't send it to the carwash lah - where they use soap and water like it was free! So, that is my contribution towards the Initiative, on the 'car' front lah.

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I am not tagging anyone. Mainly because I seem to see this in most of the blogs I visit, and because I've taken so long to get off my ass and do it - there's no one I know who's left to tag  :(

I'm just hoping that my pals read this post, and remember to be conscious of the fact that we are lucky we have water, and so much of it. For now, at least.

I remember when it was scarce, and when it was rationed, and when we needed to plan and save and use it wisely. And that was not too long ago - as atested by the number of huge-ass buckets and things for storing water we still have at home!!!

Use it wisely, folks :)