Water

Cross posted from Davis Enterprise.My last column made the point that energy and water are inextricably linked, and efforts to reduce water consumption also reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas production. This is a follow-up to that column.

The city-sponsored community forum I talked about in the last column featured a lot of useful information. If another is scheduled, it’s well worth your time. Meanwhile, here are a few items from the presentations. I’m using my August through September 2011 water bill for the numbers below. Read more

“]John Mott-Smith is a member of the Cool Davis Initiative Core Group and writes a fortnightly column on environmental issues for the Davis Enterprise that we will feature here.

With all the talk and controversy over proposed water rate increases, I expected more of a turnout for the Oct. 21 city of Davis water conservation workshop on “How to Reduce Your Water Use Without Impacting Lifestyle.” But there were twice as many empty chairs as there were people attending.

I went for two reasons. First, because I use too much water. Second, because water use is directly related to energy use Read more

This post by Gus Yates is cross-posted from the Davis Enterprise.

With water rates going up, you might be wondering how much your garden is costing you. Don’t worry; there are more alternatives to green than just brown.

Experts on water conservation, drought-tolerant landscaping, energy efficiency and numerous other ways to “green” your lifestyle will host exhibits and answer questions at the Cool Davis Festival on Sunday, Oct. 16, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Veterans’ Memorial Center, 203 E. 14th St. Read more

In today’s world where water is growing scarce, every flush and shower counts.  With water becoming more precious and rates rising, everybody wins by conserving.

Today we invite you to use less water. Try one or more of these steps:

• Limit your shower to 4-5 minutes, and leave the daydreaming to while you dry yourself off.
• Run the dishwasher only when full and use the no-heat wash, rinse and dry cycles. It is simple, easy and costs nothing to implement this plan.
• Wear your clothing more than once before putting it in the laundry.

Conserving water reduces your “water print” which is essential in the central valley with its long dry season and increasing water shortages.  Additionally, using water requires energy to treat it, pump it to your home and then again to treat the wastewater before releasing it back into the environment. As much as 50% of a city’s annual energy bill goes to pumping water to homes and business  and then treating the waste water produced by its use (according to consumerenergycenter.org).

Conserving water reduces your carbon footprint and saves water for fish and animal habitat or farm use.  For example, cutting shower time, by half, such as from 10 minutes to 5 minutes, saves water and can reduce carbon emissions by over 1,500 lbs/year for the average family (UC Davis Center for Water-Energy Efficiency).

Running the dishwasher only when full and on a low heat or air dry cycle can save from 15% to 50% of the average dishwasher’s energy consumption, (Consumerenergy.org). Wearing the same clothes for a few days in most cases (well, maybe not if your kids really like dirt!), saves both water  and energy, plus clothes last longer.

This is the last day of the  Cool Davis Low Impact Challenge.  It is time to have fun and celebrate!  Whether you tried all or none of the Low Impact Challenge steps, you are welcome at the celebratory CDI potluck dinner on March 3 at the United Methodist Church of Davis, 1620 Anderson Rd. The dinner will start at 6:30 PM followed by discussions of the “No Impact Man” film, the Low Impact Challenge and additional programs to reduce your carbon footprint. Please bring a veggie dish, salad or dessert to share.