US Drinking Water Systems get a D+ in Quality

The American Society of Civil Engineers have given American water supply systems a D+ grade. The main gripe the group has is with water mains that are over 100 years old, outliving their useful life, but still in use delivering water to people around the country. While American water systems suffer an estimated 240,000 breaks per year, the group is quick to point out that quality of water is universally high, and outbreaks of disease are rare. The American Water Works Association estimates that a full update of America's water systems would cost $2.1 trillion dollars.

For more information, click here.

Reusable Water Bottles

Whenever I arrive at work, the first thing I do is re-fill my water bottle. Using a re-usable water bottle is an easy way to safe money and lessen our waste contribution. 

Choosing a re-usable water bottle that is the "right fit" for you may sound like an easy task, but becomes a research project when you start considering all of the options.

Here's a list of re-usable water bottle reviews:

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews/eco-friendly-products/reusable-water-bottle-reviews/best-reusable-water-bottles#slide2

Household Cleaning Products That Keep Our Water Supply Clean

 

Many of our household cleaning products are dirtying up our water supply. There are several eco-friendly items already in your home that can be used as effective cleaners.

Try one of these cost effective/readily available products.

http://eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm 

Giving is a Fun Way to Celebrate Your Birthday!

Just ask this 6 year old, Lory, he raised over $2000 by asking his friends and family to support charity:water in lieu of receiving gifts. Not only does 100% of the profits go straight to the cause but you receive updates on how your gift is used!

This is truly a gift that keeps on giving!

Conserve water on Earth Day 2013!

For Earth Day, April 22, 2013, the U.S. Air Force has announced water resource management and conservation as their main focus. Unfortunately, water projects like this are not seen as headline news even though everyone, including the animal and plant kingdom needs water to survive and fresh water resources are being depleted. Droughts affect many areas in the United States and all over the world. One way to protect our resources is to conserve what we already have.  Currently, the Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico has 23 projects under construction, which all require water. Instead of using potable water from fire hydrants, they will use treated wastewater, also known as effluent, in order to conserve fresh potable water. We all can pitch in and join the U.S. Air Force by saving water indoors and outdoors.

  

What are others doing to conserve water and celebrate Earth Day? One organization, Save Our Water, has invited Californians to taking extra steps to save water outdoors. Because of an unusually dry winter, California has to cut back on their water usage. Save Our Water is encouraging Californians to making steps to conserve water such as “picking California-friendly plants, converting to water-efficient irrigation systems and/or investing in a "smart" controller for their sprinklers." See what more you can do at http://www.saveourh2o.org.

And for more information about what the Air Force is doing to conserve water, please visit the following website: http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123343618

Happy Earth Day!

Water-Producing Billboard Combines Necessities, Commerce

The University of Engineering and Technology in Peru and the Peruvian ad agency DraftFCBand have come together to create the world's first water-producing billboard. The billboard takes humidity out of the air, of which Peru's climate contains 98%, and purifies it. This creates potable water for desert communities that can get as little as 0.5" of rain annually.
By reducing the dependence on dirty wells and introducing a replenishing water source, the Potable Water Generator is improving the lives of those in the third world, who need this type of access the most.

(Source: Huffington Post)

Life Sack

People living in developing countries are often without clean water. The process of purifying large amounts of water is something they don't have available to them. There are some small-scale water purifying devices that have been invented, and are helping to prevent individuals living in developing countries from many of the illnesses drinking unclean water lead to.
One of these devices is the Life Sac. This bag uses UVA radiation, in addition to it's filtration device, to purify waters. Often, these sacs will be donated filled with food. When the food has been used, the bag is then used as a water purifier.

 

http://inhabitat.com/life-sack-solves-drinking-water-issues-for-the-third-world/