Ways to Conserve & Use Water

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) - The Great Lakes hold one fifth of the world's fresh surface water supply and currently provide drinking water to over 42 million people.

Between the lower and upper peninsulas, our state is surrounded by lakes Superior, Huron and Michigan, which collectively cover over 77,000 square miles. Add in lakes Erie, St. Clair and all of our other lakes, rivers and streams, the amount of fresh water available to us, and for which we are responsible, is huge!

From my perspective, rather than focusing on developing wind and solar power, we should be focused on preserving, purifying, and maintaining our water resources. Many other places can compete with us for solar and wind expertise, but no place on Earth can compete with us on water capabilities.

Just like the global demand for energy, the global demand for water keeps growing. And while gasoline and other fuels are important but not essential to our survival, water is essential. So, what can we do to protect it?

Start by turning off sprinklers if it has recently rained or is about to rain. If you do water, turn sprinklers on when the sun is down, and water deeply. If you have irrigation systems, try setting them for every other day, rather than for every day.

Now is also a great time to start a compost pile. Spread the compost on your lawn and garden, as it increases the water-holding capacity of sandy soils. Youll also be able to reduce your use of chemical fertilizers, which will help both the environment and your budget, since the compost is free and the fertilizer isnt!

If the downspouts on your house run into underground collection systems, try attaching downspouts that run into your yard instead. This can reduce storm water overloads and help keep your lawn in good shape.

Another way to save and use water in your garden is to attach rain barrels to your downspouts. They catch rain water and roof runoff. You can use the water for irrigation, washing the car, filling the kiddie pool, and giving the dog a bath. You can find them locally at stores like Meijer.

And finally, plant trees and rain gardens along the lower, wetter areas of your property. They look great while holding the water for later, when things are drier. This will cut down on water use, saving you money as well.

There are plenty more great ideas at use-less-stuff.com . Happy gardening!