How to Conserve Water During a Drought

Currently California is experiencing an ongoing drought that is causing a water crisis second to none. During this time (and anytime really) conserving water is a must. So here are some helpful tips to help you conserve water in your own home.

Indoor:

·      Use the washing machine and the dishwasher only when they are full to save water and energy

·      Washing dark clothes in cold water saves water and energy, and helps your clothes retain their color

·      Don’t let the water run when washing dishes by hand. Fill one basin with wash water and another with rinse water

·      Use the water disposal sparingly

·      Don’t use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator.

·      Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the fridge instead of running the tap

·      Take quicker showers

·      Fill the bathtub halfway or less

·      Plug the bathtub before turning on the water when taking a bath

·      Turn water off while brushing your teeth or shaving

Outdoor:

·       Water early in the morning or later in the evening when the temperatures are cooler

·       Plant drought-resistant trees and plants

·       Choose a water-efficient irrigation system such as drip irrigation for your trees, shrubs and flowers

·       Use a broom to clean driveways, sidewalks and patios

·       Wash cars with a bucket, sponge and hose with self-closing nozzle

Source: http://saveourh2o.org/content/home

What Clean Drinking Water Improves

We know many of the health benefits of clean water but access to clean water can improve other aspect of life. Today I will share some of the ways in which access to clean water helps improve aspects of daily life:

·      Education

o   Children who are free for gathering water have more time for class.

·      Health

o   Water has many health benefits include keeping us hydrated, boosting our energy, and nourishing our skin.

·      Hunger

o   Access to clean water leads to more food security. Hunger can be reduced with less crop loss

 

Source: http://thewaterproject.org/why-water.php

10 Tips to Conserving Water at Home

Although almost 70% of the world is made out of water it is important to conserve it. So today we thought we might share 10 simple tips on conserving water in your home.

1.     Check faucets and pipes for leaks.

2.     Insulate your water pipes.

3.     Take shorter showers.

4.     Rinse your razor in the sink.

5.     Turn off water after you have wetted your toothbrush.

6.     Use the washer and dishwasher for only full loads.

7.     Minimize use of kitchen sink garbage disposal.

8.     Water your lawn only when it is needed.

9.     Don’t run water when washing your car.

10. Use a broom, not a hose, when cleaning your driveway or the sidewalk.

What do you do to conserve water in your home?

Sources: earth easy

Bottled vs Tap Water

Many people may ask: what is the difference between tap and bottled water. Some believe that bottled water is better than tap water. And for a while I thought so to. But after doing research on the subject for this blog post I was surprised but what I learned.
While tap and bottled water essentially come from the same sources (lakes, springs and aquifers) the biggest difference is how they are regulated. Tap water is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) while bottled water is regulated by the Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA).
The majority of tap water in the US meets EPA's drinking water standards which regulates levels of 90 different contaminants. Tap water suppliers are subject to broader scrutiny and are tested several times a day. By law they are required to publish and circulate an annual Consumer Confidence Report in which they share their sources of water and any contaminants found.
On the other side bottled water is less well-regulated. The FDA requires bottlers to test once a week, once a year, or  once every four years depending on the contaminant. They are also not required to share contaminant episodes with customers. While bottled water is not contaminated from the lead in the pipes it may contain chemicals that leach out of plastic bottle that are often made from PET, or Polyethylene Terephthalate. Nationwide only 15% of water bottles get recycled every year.

Source: Los Angeles Times

Water Facts: Water in Third World Countries

Here is the US we can take for granted our easy access to clean water. But for many living in third world or developing countries that is not the case. So for this blog post we decided to share ten facts and statistics about water in third world countries.

1.     884 million people (1 in 8) lack access to safe water supplies. 87% of those people live in Sub-Sahara Africa

2.     80% of illness in developing countries are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions.

3.     3.5 million people die each year of water related diseases.

4.     Nearly 1 out of every 5 deaths of children 5 or younger worldwide are due to water related illness. Diarrhea is the second leading cause of child death. Diarrhea is caused by poor sanitation, hygiene, or dirty drinking water.

5.     64% (two thirds) of households rely on women to get family’s water. They walk a average of 3.5 miles a day and a average of 15 hours per week.

6.     The United Nations estimates that Sub-Sahara Africa alone loses 40 billion hours per year collecting water.

7.     By 2025, the proportion of the world’s population living in water-stressed countries is set to increase by two thirds.

8.     Clean water is one aspect of improving sustainable food production in order to reduce poverty and hunger.

9.     Less than 80% of sewage in developing countries is discharged untreated, polluting rivers, lakes and coastal areas.

10. 2 out of 3 people who need safe drinking water survive on less than $2 a day.

Sources: DoSomething.org, The Water Project

Water Facts: Fluoride

Since the 1940s fluoride has been added to US public drinking water. Nowadays water is fluorided in 29 of the 30 largest cities in the country. Fluoride is voluntarily added to some drinking water systems in order to promote dental health and as a public measure for reducing incidences of cavities.

In 1974 Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act, which requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine the levels of contaminants in drinking water. The Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLG) for fluoride is 4.0mg/L.

Excessive consumption of fluoride over a lifetime may lead to the increased likelihood of bone fractures in adults and an increased chance of developing pits in tooth enamel in children 8 and younger. Because fluoride primarily works topically opponents to fluoriding water say it doesn’t need to be added. They also believe that it an unethical for of mass-medication, given without the individual’s consent. Because everyone drinks different amounts of water there is no way to control the dosage of fluoride being consumed.

Sources: Live Science, EPA

5 Benefits of Drinking Water

We all know that drinking water ever day is good for us. Not only does it keep us hydrated but there are many other benefits of drinking water that you may not have been aware of. So today we at Propur have compiled a list of 5 benefits of drinking water.

1.     Helps you stay slimmer.

Did you know that 60% of your body is composed of water? No wonder drinking water helps maintain the balance of body fluids but also helps to revs up your metabolism. Drinking a glass of water before a meal will help you feel fuller, thus you will eat less.

2.     Boost energy.

Being dehydrated makes you feel tired. Drinking water helps blood transport oxygen and other important nutrients to your cells.

3.     Nourish your skin.

Water helps hydrate skin cells as well as flushing out impurities. It also helps improves circulation + blood flow which makes your skin glow.

4.     Reduces kidney stones.

Water dilutes salts and minerals in urine that form solid crystals know as kidney stones.

5.     Build muscle tone.

Drinking water helps prevent muscle cramping and lubricates joints in your body.

Source: WebMD