It is Hot - BUT ......Reduce Your Water Footprint

How to Reduce Your Water Footprint (Infographic)

It’s no secret that we use a lot of water in our day-to-day lives. However, eating locally and choosing to drink the local water rather than bottle water can help reduce your water usage and footprint. While there are some places where bottled water is certainly the safer option eg Bali, in most developed countries [ Europe, USA, NZ, Australia]  the tap water must pass rigorous testing. This infographic from Wheels for Wishes  details some ways to reduce your water footprint as well as some details on how much water we actually use.

Infographic via Wheels for Wishes

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/how-to-reduce-your-water-footprint-infographic.html#ixzz3qwzBJuXk

The past few days in Darwin have been VERY UNCOMFORTABLY HOT HOT HOT. 

Near record maximum temperatures and high humidity plus near record high minimums as well.  And likely to continue for some time.

Water drinking weather, as well as the time to cool off in the air conditioning when you can [ even the pool might be too warm].

While the inforgraphic is based around US data, it would be similar here in Australia.

Simple changes will reduce your water footprint.........with the fundemental one - BYOW, yes, Bring Your Own Water - it comes from the tap at home or at work, and if preferred cold, store a bottle in the fridge for regular use!  And use a reusable container.  

There are plenty of options.  None include buying water except in dire need, and even then most places will allow use of a tap to refill a container.

Remember that purchased water in a bottle is one of the the MOST expensive liquids........even more expansive in many places than exclusive champagne or even petrol!

[ partially purloined from Wheels for Wishes........but a necessary reminder for hot weather]

Water - for all. An Infographic

Water Use Drops in USA to Level of 45 Years Ago

The latest figures on water use in the United States show that conservation efforts are having an impact.

A new report published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reveals that the volume of water used across the country has reached its lowest recorded level in nearly 45 years.

About 355 billion gallons of water per day (Bgal/d) were withdrawn for use in the entire United States during 2010. That's a decrease of 13 percent from 2005 when about 410 Bgal/d were withdrawn.

The news was welcomed by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

"Reaching this 45-year low shows the positive trends in conservation that stem from improvements in water-use technologies and management," commented Mike Connor, deputy secretary of the Interior.
Connor pointed out the reduction comes at a time when the U.S. population is continuing to grow, and demonstrates that people are learning to be more water conscious and helping to sustain the limited freshwater resources in the country.

Water withdrawn for thermoelectric power represented the largest use nationally in 2010. The other leading uses were irrigation, public supply and self-supplied industrial water. Withdrawals declined in each of these categories, USGS said.

Thermoelectric power recorded a 20 percent decrease from five years earlier as a result of more efficient cooling-system technologies, declines in withdrawals to protect aquatic habitat and environments, power plant closures and a reduction in the use of coal to fuel power plants.

Looking at industrial withdrawals, the 12 percent decrease since 2005 was put down to factors such as greater efficiencies in industrial processes, more emphasis on water reuse and recycling, and the 2008 U.S. recession, which resulted in lower industrial production in major water-using industries.

Overall, more than half of the total water withdrawals in the United States were accounted for by 12 states: California, Texas, Idaho, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, Arkansas, Colorado, Michigan, New York, Alabama and Ohio.

Some great developments in water management - but a long way to go still.