Amber Said:

If an inexpensive refit was widely available, would you do this in your home or business to conserve water?

We Answered:

I think that it is awesome that you care so much and are trying to advocate in the only way you know how.
I would definetly adopt and hopefully adapt to it. Sadly, I do not know if others would be so willing to give up their precious lives of convenience (that is, until they have to).
I think that it would be a good idea to try, though. You might be able to get a 3% national population conversion to your idea.
First, I would try to patent or copyright the idea by going onto usa.gov or howstuffworks.com and posing the question of how one gets a patent.
Then, I would try to promote the idea to federally-run programs such as the Department of Water and Gas and if they seem uninterested, try getting a well-known environmental advocacy group to do the talking for you. Natural Resources Defense Council has a lot of pull with the bigwigs in DC. I would try them.
I won't forget about your idea though. cos i think it is a good one. so guess what? you just gained yourself a customer!

Monica Said:

How Can I Conserve Water?

We Answered:

Using the rain water is a good idea, and if you water your plants in the evening the water will soak in instead of evaporating and you will be able to use less. The same goes for a grass lawn and trees. You may want to consider getting some drought resistant plants if the ones you already have take lots of water
If you have pets they can drink the rain water. Make sure their water bowl is in a cool place and that your pets have shade to stay in.
If your air conditioning uses water (I forget what that's called), try to use it as little as possible. Consider window fans or some other method of cooling your house.
Check how many gallons your dish washer uses per load and determine if you can do them by hand for less.
When you do laundry, make sure the water level setting is right for the amount of clothes.
This is kind of gross, but if you don't mind only flush the toilet when you have to ( maybe once or twice a day ). I read somewhere that flushing uses most of the water in a house hold.
Put time limits on showers or fill limits on bath tubs. Bath water can also be used along with the hand washing and rinse water to flush. If the water's not to dirty you can also use it to mop floors, and it won't hurt your plants either unless there is lots of soap or chemicals in it.

Also, you can cut costs in other areas to cover the higher water prices. Look for groceries that are on sale, hang dry your clothes instead of using a gas or electric dryer, inspect your home to make sure it is cooling and heating effeciently (cracks around doors and windows for example ).

Some "utility" providers offer brochures for effeciency tips and ideas on how you can save. Check with your electric, propane, and/or water companies to see if they have any.

Hope this helps

Elaine Said:

how can we conserve water?

We Answered:

the problem is not conserving it, its how can we filter the dirty water.

the first law of thermodynamics states that no energy can be created or destroyed only transformed.

following those guidelines we have X quadrillion liters of water on the earth, out of that only 12% of that is readily drinkable.

we pollute the water we take in by bestowing on it the responsibility of removing our toxins and wastes.

lets say we do discover a way to purify any water regardless of its toxicity....then once we filter it, what do we do with the toxins?

my suggestion, enjoy it while you can and dont have kids.

Darren Said:

how can we conserve water for future generations?¿?

We Answered:

I think that your question really should say "How can we stop polluting the water for future generations?"

As the other poster says, water is NOT going anywhere. it rains, it filters to the oceans and gets absorbed as it evaporates.

However, we are polluting it in huge quantifies and have to refine and clean it before it is suitable for drinking and using. Which is costly.

Answer:
1 .Stop using chemicals in agriculture.
2. Use less on a daily basis so that less needs to be produced for the consumption for the public
3. wash dishes by hand
4. do not water the plants, except in very dry areas. Use mulch
5. Do not wash the car
6. Take the bath water to flush the toilet
7. Only wash clothes when the laundry machine is full
8. Wash your hair, having turned OFF the shower while you soap it up.
9. Flush only when poop is in the toilet. Close the lid on pee!

All these simple ideas will conserve water and means that the water treatment plant has less to do

Please implement some of these ideas.

"No one has to give up everything, but everyone has to give up something!"

Leslie Said:

How can we fix our bathtub that wastes water?

We Answered:

You need a tub spout with a diverter valve that stops the water from the spout and sends it to the shower. If it is really old, the knobs amd faucet may be all one unit. Over the years there have been thousands of designs, There is an answer, without seeing your setup, I can't help you. You could email me a picture of the faucet setup.