Journey for the Planet - Week 2

This week we talked about how we can save and protect it....

Am I Clean Yet? - Focus on taking a 5 minute shower. Set a timer for 4 minutes; when it goes off you know it is time to wrap it up! You can save 9125 gallons of water a year.

Go with the Flow - Is it necessary to flush the toilet every time it is used??? Remember the phrase, "If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down."

Tanks a Lot - If you have an older toilet (high flow) then you can save 4.5 gallons of water every time you flush by replacing it with a newer (low flow) toilet. If you aren't prepared to replace your toilet then you can place a half gallon jug in the tank of the toilet to take up space.

Aquacop - A slow leak can waste 4 to 5 gallons of water a day. Check for leaks from teh toilet tank to the toilet bowl by adding a couple of drops of food coloring to the tank. Come back in 15 minutes later and check the bowl. If the bowl has colored water in it then you have a leak.

Consider adding a rain barrel to your downspout and use the rain water to water your garden and plants. You can also set up a collection system in the kitchen for unused water.

When landscaping, consider using xeriscape and native plants to reduce the amount water and chemical fertilizers they require.

Journal Questions:
1. How would your life change if you did not have indoor plumbing?
2. If people did not have indoor plumbing, would they waste as much water? Why?