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A Substitute for Clean Water: There Is None

May 29, 2014 1

Fresh-WaterNOTE FROM SWEET GREENS: This post, A Substitute for Clean Water: There is None was written by Jenna. Jenna is a freelance writer who writing focuses on eco-lifestyle, health and wellness.

That cool, clean water straight from the tap. I grew up with it. As an inhabitant of the Northeastern Washington to Boston population corridor in the United States, it was a sure bet that drinking whatever came from the tap would be safe, plentiful, clear and delicious.

It was on a trip to Philadelphia in the 1980s that I first saw water for sale in a supermarket. What’s the deal, I asked a friend. “Oh, we never drink the water from the tap,” the friend replied. “Not in this city, we don’t.”

Water reminds me of that very pointed cliche about freedom: You don’t understand what freedom is until you have it taken away from you.

Water falls into that category. You don’t appreciate clear, clean, fresh water until you have that taken away from you. Yes, I knew that states in the West viewed water in an entirely different manner that I was used to. Now, however, with energy companies seeking to using fracking methods to mine natural gas throughout the country — including the Northeast corridor — suddenly clean water is the talk of the town. We’re living now with a clean-water scare that is hard to overestimate. Where it takes us at this point is hard to say.

That said, clean water is tasteless, odorless, colorless. This makes it very hard to describe.

So, let’s describe what clean water is not. That is easier, even though it is much, much scarier.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in fact, can define what clean water is not supposed to be based on contaminants that include microorganisms, disinfection byproducts, disinfectants, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals and radionuclide. That would be, in less scientific jargon, living organisms, chemicals of various types and varieties of radiation that could poison the water.

The EPA chart on pollutants quantifies the scare factor. The microorganism cryptosporidium, is safe only when it is not present — it has a zero tolerance level. If it makes it into your water, expect stomach aches, cramps and diarrhea. Where does it hail from? From human and animal fecal waste.

That happens to be the first containment on the list. There is, likewise, zero tolerance for Giardia lamblia, Legionella and various coli-form bacteria.

Disinfectants include chlorine, which can cause eye and nose irritation, stomach discomfort above its tolerance level. Inorganic substances include lead, which can cause delayed development and serious neurological damage in children and kidney problems in adults. Nitrates above 10 parts per million, can kill infants. Thallium at 0.0005 parts per million, can cause changes in the blood, intestine, kidney and liver problems, as well as hair loss.

The point is made: Messing with the water can quite simply kill you and does more frequently than most Americans realize. One Pacific Institute report from 2002 estimated that 135 million people would die from unhealthy drinking water between 2000 and 2020.

One rule of thumb holds that if your drinking water is unsafe, it is a good time to pack your bags and move. If your local well is unsafe, there is not much you can do about it.

Often, however, that isn’t the case, especially if the problem is unhealthy microorganisms.  Water in that case can frequently treated (often with something that is also toxic) and left to flush itself clean again. If the source of the problem is found, water can return to health after some time has passed.

Whatever the problem, finding the source of the pollutants is key and this is one of the critical factors when it comes to fracking, which involves many, many drilling sites. As such, if the practice is proven to be unsafe, then there could be tens of thousands of wells each contaminating local water sources.

Many people turn to water purifying systems installed in their home, including the use of water softeners, filters and desalination techniques. Some systems use reverse osmosis. Others use descaling.

Descaling is sometimes called “salt free water softening,” as it seen as one of the basic alternatives to water softeners.

Much of the effort of water treatment in the home is to protect the pipes, the bathroom tiles and the kitchen utensils from a build of of residue that is created by hard water, which is water with a heavy concentration of minerals.

While minerals can build up on pipes and cooking ware, some minerals are good for you and are not harmful. Clean water, in that case, is a requirement for life. Clean, clear, fresh water softened with a private system, in that case, is a very popular luxury.

Water Conservation Saves the Earth and Saves Money

May 19, 2014 0

water conservation

NOTE FROM SWEET GREENS: This post, Water Conservation Saves the Earth and Saves Money was written by Jenna. Jenna is a freelance writer who writing focuses on eco-lifestyle, health and wellness.

Your home is one of the first places to start conserving natural resources and reduce your carbon footprint. Making sure your home is properly insulated not only keeps you warm during the cold months, the insulation, venting and weather stripping can also reduce your energy usage during the warmer months that are popping up ahead.

While energy conservation at home is super important, another area of concern is water conservation. The truth is that there is a shortage of fresh water on this planet. In fact, including municipal water supplies, less than three percent of the water on this planet could be considered fresh. Adopting water conservation practices now will not only preserve our water supply, it can also save you money. There are several ways to conserve water around your home. The two easiest ways are to modify the appliances and equipment that use water, and to modify your behavior.

Appliance and Equipment Modification

Appliance and equipment modification usually involves making changes to your plumbing, or to the devices that use water in your home. Even if you don’t own your home, or you live in an apartment, you can still make many of these changes:

  1. Upgrade Your Toilets
    Prior to 1994, the average residential toilet used 3.5-to-5 gallons of water per flush. In 1994 all residential toilets were required to operate on 1.6 gallons or less. However, if you have an older toilet, you could still have a high-flush model. If you can’t replace the toilets, insert a displacement device into the upper tank to conserve your water use. A displacement device makes the water level appear higher than it is, similar to when you sit in a full bathtub and the water rises. Common displacement devices include bricks and water-filled plastic containers. If you want to add a bathroom to a space in your home that doesn’t have traditional plumbing – a Saniflo toilet could be the solution for you.
  2. Install Special Aerators on Your Faucets and Showerheads
    The aerator makes the water bubbly and provides good water pressure while simultaneously reducing the amount of water flowing through the faucet. So you can enjoy your shower, and actually rinse your hair, without using too much water.
  3. Install Shower Timers
    To reduce your time in the shower, and the amount of water down the drain use a timer when you jump in the shower.
  4. Check and Repair All Leaks, Especially in the Toilet
    Toilet leaks can send hundreds of gallons of water down the drain and cost you a lot of money in water and sewer fees.
  5. Invest in High-Efficiency Washing Machines and Dishwashers
    When it is time to replace the machines that you currently have choose machines are designed to clean effectively with the minimum amount of water.

Behavior Modification

Behavior modification is essentially changing the way you use water, here are 7 ways that will have you conserving water in no time:

  1. Take fewer showers during the week, if possible;
  2. Plug the bathtub drain, during your shower, and reuse the collected water to flush your toilet;
  3. Consider only flushing the toilet once a day, or when you have solid waste;
  4. Avoid running the water while shaving, brushing your teeth, or washing dishes;
  5. If you have a dishwasher, avoid running the washer when half empty;
  6. If you have a washing machine, adjust the water level based on the size of the load;
  7. Use rainwater for gardening, washing your car, and other outdoor uses.

YOUR TURN: How are you conserving water in your home?

Thirteen

May 15, 2014 0

Jennie and Eben Lyon (Jennie-PC's conflicted copy 2014-05-12)Hello, Friends! Today, my one and only child – my pride and joy turns 13! Can you believe it? I am officially the mother of a teenager and I have to tell you, it is pretty amazing. I feel very lucky to get to be the mother of such a wonderful human being. Eben has accomplished so much in his short life and he has taught me that giving up is never an option. I am very proud of him and can’t wait to see where his journey will take him in the coming years. I will be there, right by his side, every single step of the way! I love you Eben, you are my favorite – for sure!

Sweet Greens Joins the EventD8 Team!

May 13, 2014 0

eventI am excited to announce my partnership with EventD8 – where I have been writing a slew of event posts, including everything from 4 Steps to Using Fundraising in Your Home or Classroom to Reach Common Goals to 6 Simple, Fun Ways Teachers Can Create a Motivating, Inspiring Classroom to 4 Ways Communities Can Fundraise for National Disaster Relief. 

Jump over and take a peek, I hope it inspired you to get the most out of your event!

 

Winter in May? Going Green to Beat the Winter Blues

May 12, 2014 0

Winter in May How to Green Your Winter Blues

NOTE FROM SWEET GREENS: This post, Winter in May? Going Green to Beat the Winter Blues was written by Jenna. Jenna is a freelance writer who focuses on personal finance, eco-lifestyle, and health.

I know that a lot of you around the country are still dealing with winter – snow in May, no fun! Even if you don’t officially suffer from Seasonal Affect Disorder, dealing with the prolonged winter is difficult for anyone. Sure, you appreciate the break in the heat and the cooler wetter days when it first arrives but as it drags on—especially since snow in May isn’t rare anymore—it’s easy to get gloomy. It is important during the last dregs of winter that you take steps to keep your mood and your home as easy to live with as possible.

Believe it or not, one of the best ways to deal with the winter blues is to go green or “green up” your home. Seriously! Think about it for a second: going green helps improve the overall environment in your home, which can improve your mood. It also, often, helps reduce your utility costs (which tend to spike in winter as you run the heater and keep the lights on longer) which reduces stress. So what, specifically, should you do to green up your home for winter?

1. Go Green Literally

Plants are a fantastic addition to any home. They scrub the air, making it healthier to breathe. They also add moisture to the air, which is always helpful during the winter when the air—even when it’s raining—is drier than it is during the summer. Beyond that, there’s the decorative factor—bright green plants add a great decorative touch to a room. Plus, you can always go to a retailer like Willis Orchards to buy palm trees or other organic tropical plants and flowers and pretend you’re at the beach!

2. Daylight LED Bulbs

People who are diagnosed with Seasonal Affect Disorder are usually told to spend some time each day sitting in front of special “sunlight” lamps. These are lamps that are designed to replicate the light and warmth of sunlight and have proven quite effective. They can also be quite expensive. There are, however, cheaper alternatives that you can find with a little investigating. Daylight simulation LED bulbs can be bought piecemeal from most home improvement stores. These are different than sunlight lamps in that they don’t mimic the warmth of sun, just the sun’s light. Look for LED bulbs that are at least 2,000 Kelvins though 5,000 Kelvins is better. Put these bulbs in lamps around your home—it will look like the sun is shining indoors.

Note: LED bulbs are more expensive outright but they save tons of money over time and are better for the environment!

3. Air Flow

During the winter, we tend to bundle up—both our persons and our homes. We latch the windows and close the doors, trying to keep every iota of cold and dry winter air out. It’s understandable that you don’t want to pay to “heat the outdoors.” At the same time, spending copious amounts of time in a stuffy room can do just as much to sour our moods as not getting enough light. Fresh air is important! It’s amazing how we don’t notice the air flow much at all until the air around us just sits still!

There is ducting that you can install in your home to keep air flowing year round, even when the windows are closed. Or, you can simply open your windows a few times a day to let some fresh air inside. There are a couple of ways to do this: you can do this in the late morning or early afternoon when the air outside is warmest. Or, at night when you’re going to bed, you can open the windows in rooms like your kitchen or living room—rooms that won’t need to be reheated right away.

These are just three of the things that you can do to “green up” your home to help combat those winter doldrums. What are some of the things you’ve been doing?

 

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