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Monday, October 22, 2007
What’s your H20 footprint?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Unless you’re hiding under a rock you know the seriousness of the drought. But what you may not know is just how much water you consume on a monthly basis.
Check out your last water bill or call your local water department, which is what I did. I was really curious to know whether my water-conserving efforts were paying off. Specifically, I called to find out how many gallons of water our family is using on a monthly basis.
I’m pretty conscientious these days about my water usage.
I turn off the water when I’m brushing my teeth. I only do full loads of laundry and dishes. I don’t flush the toilet every single time. I water plants with water recovered from the dehumidifier. I turn off the shower when I’m actually shampooing my hair or washing my body.
So, I was hoping to hear a number that would make me proud - a number that revealed my efforts were paying off. As it turns out, the number of gallons consumed for the month of September was (drum roll please) 3,650 for a family of three (one daughter is away at college).
Yippee!
I called Tony Parrott, Director of Fayette County’s Water System, to make sure I was on par with the national average. “The average is approximately 100 gallons per day, per person,” Parrott said. “You are doing a great job.”
So that works out to about 3000 gallons per person, per month. And considering my family of three was just a little over that by 650 gallons I was very pleased. So now I’m on a new quest. How can I lower my water consumption even more?
One thing my husband suggested is that we run the dishwasher on the short cycle. I’ll try that. I’ll start collecting the water from the shower as it warms up. I’ll try that too.
What about you? Have you ever looked into how much water you use on a monthly basis? And what will you do to go that extra mile? Check your last water bill and see if the total gallons used that month is a number you’re happy with.
Water-conserving minds want to know.
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