What are you doing to become water efficient?

[chfriedmam]

Well, we have rain barrels, but it never rains... We are installing a laundry to landscape greywater valve/system and our front yard is all native California plants that strictly speaking don't actually have to be watered hardly ever. We dump our dishwater out on the plants. We get wet, turn off the water, lather up and wash with the water off, then turn it on to rinse in the shower. We've asked our older kids to shower at their gyms if it is convenient. Sometimes we put Home Depot buckets in the shower and collect water to dump out on plants.

I've maximized the use of tarps and shade cloth and fans, but I still do spray water out in the chicken run sometimes to take advantage of evaporative cooling to keep the chickens alive when it's 100 degrees. We have a rectangle of lawn, but it's pretty dead right now. It's Bermuda, so it would come back if it ever rained.

 

[igorsMistress]

How do you like soap nuts? I've been eyeing them.

I like them well enough. I’m using them in a dishpan and washing light duty stuff with them. I’ve read they’re good for washing the dog and you can make liquid soap for hand washing with them. I make my own household cleaner and I used homemade liquid soap in it. It still cleans. I haven’t given up my Dawn dish soap yet though.

Also, I’m not too sure about laundry. Hubs works outside quite a bit and his clothes get really gross from sweating in summer. But he’s also in close proximity to others so he needs to smell clean,

 

[igorsMistress]

Well, we have rain barrels, but it never rains... We are installing a laundry to landscape greywater valve/system and our front yard is all native California plants that strictly speaking don't actually have to be watered hardly ever. We dump our dishwater out on the plants. We get wet, turn off the water, lather up and wash with the water off, then turn it on to rinse in the shower. We've asked our older kids to shower at their gyms if it is convenient. Sometimes we put Home Depot buckets in the shower and collect water to dump out on plants.

I've maximized the use of tarps and shade cloth and fans, but I still do spray water out in the chicken run sometimes to take advantage of evaporative cooling to keep the chickens alive when it's 100 degrees. We have a rectangle of lawn, but it's pretty dead right now. It's Bermuda, so it would come back if it ever rained.

I’m having a similar issue…the rain usually skirts around us so investing in rain gutters and barrels is sort of a head scratcher, but when it does rain that could be a lot of water to use.

 

[chfriedmam]

I’m having a similar issue…the rain usually skirts around us so investing in rain gutters and barrels is sort of a head scratcher, but when it does rain that could be a lot of water to use.

some cities will give them free if you go to a workshop

 

[Sally PB]

Since we're on a well, my "water bill" is part of my electric bill, ie, I pay to pump the water out of the ground. I also pay to soften it and filter it; it has a LOT of iron. Not using a softener isn't an option, because that would be too very hard on the water heater, etc. So I don't have any way to measure the amount of water I use, to gauge that I'm now using less.

Another thing I do: when I have something really nasty dirty that I want to hose off, I do near a tree. Then the tree gets a drink. I haven't washed my car in years (really), but if I do, I park it near trees or bushes so that they get a drink.

Does anyone here have a composting toilet? If so, what do you think of it?

 

[igorsMistress]

some cities will give them free if you go to a workshop

Our municipality will give rebates for xeriscape replacing grass and high water use plants, low flow toilets and aerators on the faucets. Unfortunately not for rain barrels and gutters.

 

[igorsMistress]

Since we're on a well, my "water bill" is part of my electric bill, ie, I pay to pump the water out of the ground. I also pay to soften it and filter it; it has a LOT of iron. Not using a softener isn't an option, because that would be too very hard on the water heater, etc. So I don't have any way to measure the amount of water I use, to gauge that I'm now using less.

Another thing I do: when I have something really nasty dirty that I want to hose off, I do near a tree. Then the tree gets a drink. I haven't washed my car in years (really), but if I do, I park it near trees or bushes so that they get a drink.

Does anyone here have a composting toilet? If so, what do you think of it?

I don’t have a composting toilet but I bought a book about humanure. From what I’ve read they’ve been pretty basic in the past but the contraptions they sell for your bathroom get some not great reviews. Somehow a composting toilet in the bathroom is more sanitary than a basic camping toilet using a bucket and a chair seat? I doubt that very much. The issue I have is that hubs wouldn’t go for it.

 

[igorsMistress]

Well, we have rain barrels, but it never rains... We are installing a laundry to landscape greywater valve/system and our front yard is all native California plants that strictly speaking don't actually have to be watered hardly ever. We dump our dishwater out on the plants. We get wet, turn off the water, lather up and wash with the water off, then turn it on to rinse in the shower. We've asked our older kids to shower at their gyms if it is convenient. Sometimes we put Home Depot buckets in the shower and collect water to dump out on plants.

I've maximized the use of tarps and shade cloth and fans, but I still do spray water out in the chicken run sometimes to take advantage of evaporative cooling to keep the chickens alive when it's 100 degrees. We have a rectangle of lawn, but it's pretty dead right now. It's Bermuda, so it would come back if it ever rained.

I was telling my husband about your showers last night and we’re both curious. Are the water restrictions that severe there, or are you doing this now so you’re already in the habit later?

The reason we’re asking is that when we both shower the water is on for ten minutes total. If hubs showers only he’s in for five mins max, but we’ve been thinking of trying a camping shower. The ones that hang in the sun to warm the water. The difference for us is that we’d only have to fill it from the tub and hang to use in summer because there’s no such thing as a cold shower here in summer.

 

[Wolfie2]

Just an update on the soaker hoses I ordered from Lowe's. They are Melnor brand. soft plastic liner with porous fabric outer skin. The ones I ordered were 75' long, enough for 2 rows in my garden. They have 50 footers in the store for almost the same price. I have had mine for 2 weeks now and I like 'em. As I've said, I usually have a heavy mulch layer on my garden and flower beds. I have placed the hoses in contact with the ground beneath the mulch (you may not believe how much water that mulch will soak up before reaching the soil). I was having to water every day for several hours each day, to keep my garden alive. I now water for about 3-4 hours/day, about 2-3 days per week (I check under the mulch for moisture before I will turn on the water). So I have considerably cut my water usage in the garden. Will be getting more of these hoses for the flower beds too!
My only concern it how long they will last. With them buried under the mulch, not in direct sunlight I'm hopin they will last a few years. Keepin my fingers crossed!

 

[igorsMistress]

Just an update on the soaker hoses I ordered from Lowe's. They are Melnor brand. soft plastic liner with porous fabric outer skin. The ones I ordered were 75' long, enough for 2 rows in my garden. They have 50 footers in the store for almost the same price. I have had mine for 2 weeks now and I like 'em. As I've said, I usually have a heavy mulch layer on my garden and flower beds. I have placed the hoses in contact with the ground beneath the mulch (you may not believe how much water that mulch will soak up before reaching the soil). I was having to water every day for several hours each day, to keep my garden alive. I now water for about 3-4 hours/day, about 2-3 days per week (I check under the mulch for moisture before I will turn on the water). So I have considerably cut my water usage in the garden. Will be getting more of these hoses for the flower beds too!
My only concern it how long they will last. With them buried under the mulch, not in direct sunlight I'm hopin they will last a few years. Keepin my fingers crossed!

I like mine from Lowes also. I haven’t buried mine under mulch yet but that’s the plan after planting corn and beans this month.

I purchased two ring style soakers from Amazon which I’m giving a try this weekend.