California is now facing one of the worst droughts ever recorded.
The California government reports that Governor Brown has declared a State of Emergency and has “directed state officials to take all necessary actions to prepare for water shortages.”
There are many ways to cut down on water consumption, including reducing household use such as taking shorter showers, checking pipes for leaks, turning off water when lathering, etc…
There is another less known solution for saving water that could greatly help with the California water crisis. It is called greywater.
Greywater systems could help fix California’s drought.
Greywater is gently used water from bathrooms, sinks, showers, bathtubs, and washing machines. It does not include water that has come into contact with feces, either from the toilet or from diapers.
Although greywater looks dirty and is not safe to drink, it is a safe and possibly beneficial source of water for irrigation in gardens and backyards. This way, water is recycled for a good purpose instead of just used once and thrown away.
“If just one in ten Southern Californians were to install a greywater system in their home, the state would conserve as much potable water as it expects to generate through the massive $1 billion desalination plant that is about to come online in San Diego County,” Laura Allen, co-founder of Greywater Action and author of The Water-Wise Home told Huffington Post.
Not only do greywater systems reduce water bills, they can save water dramatically and can help keep local water bodies clean.
If this water was released into rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water, it can cause pollution. Using a greywater system helps keep the water out of the septic system, so it has a less chance of getting into water bodies.
GreywaterAction.org has added a list of greywater system installers to their website. Visit their website for more information on how to install your own greywater system or to find an installer near you.
Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.
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REFERENCES:
1. “There’s A Simple Way To Make A Big Dent In California’s Drought. Why Aren’t Government Officials Promoting It?” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 8 Apr. 2015. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.
2. “Carlsbad Desalination Plant Gets Close To Making Fresh Water.” KPBS Public Media. KPBS Public Media, 19 Mar. 2015. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.
3. “About Greywater Reuse.” Greywater Action. Greywater Action, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.
4. “California Drought.” CA.gov. CA.gov, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.
5. “Solving the Drought.” Environment California. Environment California, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.
