Residents of drought areas are being urged to conserve water

Users who are viewing this thread

Terry

The Plumbing Wizard
Staff member
Messages
29,946
Reaction score
3,460
Points
113
Location
Bothell, Washington
Website
terrylove.com
Governments and water utilities are beseeching — and sometimes requiring — people who live in drought areas to use less water. Among suggestions:

•Install water-efficient fixtures.•Repair leaky plumbing.


http://www.usatoday.com/weather/drought/story/2012-07-19/drought-conserve-water/56346454/1

Just one more reason to change out old, dated plumbing for new more water efficient plumbing.
I seem to recall hearing from those in the middle of the country that conserving
water was no big deal. It seems like it is this Summer. I was recently talking to a farmer from Illinois the other day about his corn crop. During the Winter he had told me that it had been years and years since he had experienced a bad crop. The Winter had left snow on the ground, and this years crop was looking to be a bumper crop based on water on and in the ground. He had considered at one point laying in some irrigation for future dry days, and decided the extra expense wasn't on the plus side of the ledger. Now the crop is looking dry, and they are waiting for rain. Cattle are being brought to market early, some being fed the stalks of corn that have been given up on. Instead of corn fed beef, maybe stalk fed beef. I'm guessing beef will be plentiful this Fall.

For those that are still wondering about saving water around the house. The new 1.28 gallon high performance commodes plug less often then the old 5.0 gallon bowls. You can have your cake and eat it too.
I remember when my father was farming is Eastern Washington, we hauled our water in for household use. We ran a big circle, but that water came from an irrigation ditch. We swam in it, but if we pumped it into our trailer and used it to flush the toilet, funny things grew in the tank.

 
Last edited:

TJanak

Member
Messages
240
Reaction score
8
Points
18
Location
South TX
Water is eventually going to be the new oil. In some places it already is.

Beef may be cheap this fall but long term the short corn crop and beef herd reduction this year in the midwest coupled with the drastic reduction from last year's drought in Texas will have long term impacts on beef prices. Get used to paying more.
 

rvnmedic6869

New Member
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Central NY
We are on well water, the depth being ~165'.

We conserve water by not flushing the toilet every time we pee. A radio talk guy once said back in the 1970s "if it's yellow, let it mellow; if it's brown, flush it down". I also don't water any plants outside unless my moisture probe shows the soil dry.

But here's a question: I was told by a plumber last year that we shouldn't be conserving water as above, that the well needed to be "used". So, unless you have a dug well, should we or should we not conserve on our drilled well?

Thanks,
Bob
 

DonL

Jack of all trades Master of one
Messages
5,205
Reaction score
72
Points
48
Location
Houston, TX
Water is eventually going to be the new oil. In some places it already is.

I always wondered why we don't have Water Pipelines just like Oil Pipelines.

Seems like they could pipe some of the flood waters to places that have a drought.

Both sides would benefit.
 
Messages
951
Reaction score
6
Points
18
Location
Midwest
But here's a question: I was told by a plumber last year that we shouldn't be conserving water as above, that the well needed to be "used". So, unless you have a dug well, should we or should we not conserve on our drilled well?

It isn't like you are letting it sit stagnant in the well or pipes for extended periods. Most likely the usage reduction you mentioned is rather small. Even extensive water usage reduction is likely to not exceed 50% of your normal base rate.
 

TJanak

Member
Messages
240
Reaction score
8
Points
18
Location
South TX
I always wondered why we don't have Water Pipelines just like Oil Pipelines.

Seems like they could pipe some of the flood waters to places that have a drought.

Both sides would benefit.

Lots of people need jobs and the government likes to spend money, let's get crackin'! At least it would be a useful expenditure.

Remember last year how the Missouri and Mississippi rivers had catastrophic flooding and Texas and the south were in a historic drought? Pipeline.
 

Terry

The Plumbing Wizard
Staff member
Messages
29,946
Reaction score
3,460
Points
113
Location
Bothell, Washington
Website
terrylove.com
"if it's yellow, let it mellow; if it's brown, flush it down".

We pulled a bowl the other day that had quit flushing. The trapway was filled with salt from the urine, and it was also filling the drain pipe. The same thing happens on water-less urinals. Without some water rinse, it fills with salt.

let_it_mellow.jpg


A drain line being with with salt deposits from urine.
 
Last edited:
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks