Sustainable water

1. Sustainable water By: Jeffrey Andrews NabilAlbert

2. Some facts…….. • According to a large number of water fact websites it takes 24 gallons of water to make one pound of plastic. If we assume that the bottle weighs 4 ounces, then it took 6 gallons of water to make the bottle that holds 1 gallon of water • One flush of a Western toilet uses as much water as the average person in the developing world uses for a whole day's washing, drinking, cleaning and cooking. (courtesy of ucsb)

3. Water use

4. Sustaining water • When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water. • Some refrigerators, air conditioners and ice-makers are cooled with wasted flows of water. Consider upgrading with air-cooled appliances for significant water savings. • Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.

5. Way to keep • Eliminating or minimizing your use of harsh chemicals provides the surest way to protect global waters from chemicals. When chemicals leach into a body of water, they can devastate ecosystems. Nitrogen and phosphorus, commonly used in fertilizers, lead to a surge in algae growth when they enter a water body, killing off existing aquatic life, for example.

6. Storing water • Since water is one of life's necessities, having it around in case of emergencies is often recommended. Once the decision has been made to store water, the next question centers on how to do it. In determining the best way to store water there are several things to consider: quantity, container type, container sanitization, and water treatment. • When storing water, the amount of water to be stored should be considered as this could impact how and where you store it. One gallon (about 3.8 liters) of water is generally said to be sufficient per person for three days. This gallon (about 3.8 liters) is expected to be split about evenly for drinking on the one hand, and food preparation and sanitation on the other. While these are general guidelines, specific individual needs should be considered. For example, children and the elderly often require more water as well as individuals with certain medical conditions. • There are a variety of types of containers that can be used to store water. Glass containers can be used but these have the added disadvantages of being heavier and more fragile. Food grade plastic containers are often the best option. Containers can be purchased at a variety of places including camping or surplus stores. Re-purposing containers to store water is also an option. Soft drink containers are often best. Milk and juice containers can also be used, but since it can be difficult to remove the proteins and sugars left behind, they're typically not recommended.