News of this year’s lack of rain in the western US is hard to miss.
According to the US Government's drought website, 94% of San Bernardino County is in severe drought. This will, of course, make fire season longer and hotter. Trees and wildlife will be stressed, as will agriculture. Even plant behavior will change.
What's an individual to do? In the days and months to come, we’ll likely be hearing reminders about personal water conservation. Will it be enough for the times ahead of us?
Maybe or maybe not, but it doesn't seem like a bad place to start…
If it’s been a while since you’ve taken a “water footprint” survey, consider this one, in Spanish or English. We found it online, and thought it was pretty easy to use. In addition to helping a person understand how they use water, it offers ideas for reducing consumption through everyday habits in the house or at work, and in ways that aren't always obvious, like transportation, shopping and diet.
Most of the water calculators we looked at suggest using something called “Gray Water” so we looked a little further at that. Simply put, Gray Water is directing used water from resources inside the house or business (kitchen sink, shower drain, washing machine) into the garden or yard.
In the City of Redlands, residents can port clothes washing machine water into the yard (example above) without asking for a permit. (We recommend washing with "eco-friendly" laundry detergents, such as those made from plant-based ingredients, and avoiding cleaners with bleach, boron, and sodium).
Other gray water plumbing changes, such as those that re-direct water from the shower or kitchen sink, require approval through the Building and Safety Division but are do-able, especially if other plumbing work or renovation is planned.
If you decide to calculate your footprint or are already using gray water, please consider replying to this Flocknote and letting us know what your experience has been.
Peace to you from Creation Care Ministry on this Saturday, the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary!
“Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.”
from the Canticle of the Sun, St Francis of Assisi
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https://theholynameofjesus.org/creation-care
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