Conservation Observations

So here in Nashville we're supposed to be using as little water as possible. Originally the mayor asked us to cut usage 50%, but our reserves are now low enough that we need major conservation efforts.

Sam Davidson wrote a great post on some good ways to cut back our water use, and I encourage you to read it.

Here are a few other ideas:


HYGIENE

• Paper diapers for the kiddos. If you are a cloth diapering family, switch to paper for now so you don't have to wash the diapers.
• Shower alternatives. Skip some showers, or take a baby-wipe bath. I've been using Olay's pre-moistened cleansing cloths on my face.
• Dry shampoo. I haven't washed my hair in several days, and it is getting gross. I am thinking about buying some dry shampoo to keep me feeling human. My friend Annie recommends Tresemme's dry shampoo.
• Don't flush. Flush your toilet as little as possible. That's a lot of water going down the drain!

COOKING/DISHES

• Reduce dishes. Find meals that require few dishes. Pizzas are great. I'm experimenting with roasting everything on a foil-lined cookie sheet and then eating straight off the pan. This has resulted in the discovery that I love roasted broccoli.
• Switch to plastic. Use plastic cups and plates that you can recycle instead of wash. I have to battle against my conservation tendencies for this one. I keep trying to wash the plastic knives!
• No pasta. Avoid meals that require lots of water. Pasta, rice, etc. may not be the best choices right now (got that one from Lesley!).
• No H20. In our house, we're saving water for Ian and the pets. Paul and I are drinking juice and soft drinks. Those extra calories are worth saving the water!
• Find what works for you. I had to put masking tape across our dish cabinet because I kept forgetting to use paper bowls for my morning cereal.

Side note for those of you washing baby bottles: I emailed Sonia Harvat with Metro Water to find out the most efficient way to wash baby bottles. I had been hand-washing the bottles one at a time, but this is what Sonia said:

      "If you have more than just one or two dishes, it is best to wash a FULL load in the dishwasher on the shortest setting. The best method would be to use disposable dishes and baby bottle systems that use a sterile liner such as the Playtex bottles."

Apparently newer dishwashers actually use less water than hand-washing several dishes. But remember, the best solution overall is to use the disposable bottle liners.

OTHER

• Use a rain barrel. I don't know how long these water restrictions will last, and I was hoping to start a garden this spring. My only hope for being able to water it will be the water I collect in a rain barrel. I've heard that rain barrel water can also be used for flushing toilets -- just pour it into the bowl.

Okay, I KNOW y'all have some good water conservation tips, so please feel free to leave them in the comments!