You can Make a Difference
The world faces many problems , but runoff pollution is something you can help fight today and every day . Common sense is your best tool . Don ’ t litter . Carelessly throwing your garbage on the ground doesn ’ t help anybody . If you ’ re in the car , put the trash in a bag and dispose of it properly when you reach your destination .
Be careful with paint , oil , medicines and other household chemicals . Don ’ t pour anything down storm drains . Don ’ t pour harmful chemicals down your household drains or toilets . Call you city to find out how to dispose of them properly .
Pick up after your pets . Pet poop and all animal or wildlife waste can be a serious problem .
Recycle . In many cases , it takes less water to produce consumer products from recycled materials .
All of these things should be a “ nobrainer ,” but there is one more thing you can do . Maybe you guessed it . The number one thing you can do is use less water . Every drop counts !
Clean , freshwater is in short supply . Using less of it will help make the most of existing supplies . We use less than 1 % of the water coming from water treatment facilities for drinking .
Using national averages from 2014 , indoor water use looks something like this :
• 12 % of water used inside the home gets flushed down toilets
• 12 % is used in showers and baths
• 1 % is used to clean and wash dishes
• 9 % is used to do the laundry
• 5 % drips right down the drain when a faucet , toilet or spigot leaks
• 50 % is used outdoors
Studies show that indoor water use can be reduced by nearly 30 % with water-efficient fixtures , dishwashers , and clothes washers .
If you see leaky faucets , let somebody know who can fix them . More suggestions :
• Take a short shower instead of a bath
• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth
• Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge instead of running the tap until the water is cool
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In Colorado , we use more water outside the home than inside . Encourage your parents to water the lawn at appropriate times and not to over-water plants .
If you are at the store helping choose plants for the yard , see how much water they require . Are less thirsty plants an option ?
Saving a few gallons a day may not seem like a big deal , but remember how the oil from a million cars made a big impact ?
If everyone in Colorado saved two gallons of water on just one day , we could turn a football field into a swimming pool 29 feet deep .
For additional water saving tips , contact your local water provider , visit www . wateruseitwisely . com , or search the internet .
If everyone in Colorado saved two gallons of water on just one day , we could turn a football field into a swimming pool 29 feet deep .
Brushing Your Teeth
How much water can be saved by turning off the faucet when you ’ re brushing your teeth ?
Place a large container in your sink under the faucet . Turn on the faucet while you brush your teeth and keep it running until you are finished . Measure the amount of water in the container .
How many quarts of water can be saved every time you brush your teeth ?
Multiply that number by two since you brush your teeth twice a day . How many gallons is that ?
With 365 days in a year , how many gallons of water could you save in a year ?
12 Watershed Defenders produced by Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom