The Water Conservation Brochure
Well, I can't figure out how to import a pdf to this blog so all I could do is cut and paste text. Also the photos which aren't reproduced here are rather tasty if I do say so myself. But the content works and I am happy with how this project is evolving. Looks like the Aya will provide the money for printing! Still waiting on Toto!
W A T E R S U P P L Y
Groundwater springs are the major source of potable water in the Monteverde Region. Certain times of the year we get a lot of rain that replenishes the ecosystem but the dry periods are lasting longer and some years we have periods of drought.
Most families and business get their potable water from one of five community aqueduct systems (AYA) within the region. All AYA systems are metered and the cost for water is based on the amount used with the fee structure controlled by the national government. There are a few private water systems, such as the one in the Bajo del Tigre area. Some businesses have concessions to take water from the streams & there are few ponds for fish farming.
W A T E R U S E
The average water use in Costa Rica is about 150 litres of water per day, per person* With small changes to the way you do things in your home or business water consumption can be reduced.
Using water more efficiently means reducing the cost for water, less impacts on septic or sewage systems & helps protect the local ecosystem.
*This figure is from the Monteverde AYA.
HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO GENERALLY TO HELP CONSERVE WATER & PROTECT OUR RESOURCE.
Never leave the water running! Whether you are brushing your teeth, or washing dishes, turn the faucet off while you are working.
Fill a bucket with water when you are doing chores that require water.
Check all faucets for leaks and repair them promptly.
Whenever replacing plumbing fixtures, consider a model designed to save water. It may cost a bit more but will save you money and water over the long term.
These ideas are not new but it is helpful to be reminded of them. Here are a few specific things you can do.
B A T H R O O M
Bathrooms account for most of our water use in our homes. You can cut your water use by:
S H O W E R S
Put a bucket under the shower to collect water while it is getting hot and use this water for plants.
Take short showers, especially in the dry season. Aim for three minutes.
T O I L E T S
Toilets are a big water user in the house. Some use 9 to 13 litres per flush.
Putting a plastic bottle filled with water in your toilet tank will reduce the amount of water used per flush.
If you need a new toilet, a low flush one uses 4 to 6 litres per flush! This will save you water and money in the long term.
Leaky toilets lose litres of water per day. To check for a leak, put food coloring into the tank. If color appears in the bowl without flushing, there is a leak that needs to be repaired.
If its just urine, don’t flush. If you’re grossed out by the color put the toilet lid down.
KITCHEN
Steam vegetables & boil food in as little water as possible to save water & cooking fuel. Cool leftover water & use on plants.
Don't forget when drinking soda instead of tap water that it takes about 7 liters of water to manufacture a single plastic bottle; plastic bottles are made from non-renewable resources & often end up as garbage or litter along our roadsides.
L A U N D R Y
Try to do a load of laundry when the machine is full. Doing only full loads can save as much as 2000 litres of water each month.
Remember to adjust the water level on your washing machine to match the size of your load.
If you need a new washer, consider a water saving model. You can reduce 40% of the water used each time you wash and will save on water and energy costs.
O U T D O O R S
Outdoor watering in dry season can be 50% of your water use and is expensive.
Water in the morning or late afternoon during the dry season. Avoid watering on very windy days.
Use composted material around shrubs & plants to reduce evaporation from the soil surface and weeds.
It is natural for your lawn to turn brown during the dry season. It does not need to be watered.
Use a broom, not water from a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks.
Clean the car with a pail of soapy water & use the hose to rinse it off.
Collect rainwater in a covered barrel & use for watering your garden or washing your car.
Always turn off the hose at the faucet.
L O O K I N G T O T H E F U T U R E
Each of us is responsible for incorporating water conservation into our life so that clean fresh water will be available in Monteverde now and into the future. If we don’t, who will?
This brochure is a joint project of Monteverde Friends School, Monteverde Institute &
The Cloud Forest School
E V E R Y D R O P C O U N T S
Preserving & protecting our water resources is key to a sustainable way of living in the Monteverde RegionW A T E R S U P P L Y
Groundwater springs are the major source of potable water in the Monteverde Region. Certain times of the year we get a lot of rain that replenishes the ecosystem but the dry periods are lasting longer and some years we have periods of drought.
Most families and business get their potable water from one of five community aqueduct systems (AYA) within the region. All AYA systems are metered and the cost for water is based on the amount used with the fee structure controlled by the national government. There are a few private water systems, such as the one in the Bajo del Tigre area. Some businesses have concessions to take water from the streams & there are few ponds for fish farming.
W A T E R U S E
The average water use in Costa Rica is about 150 litres of water per day, per person* With small changes to the way you do things in your home or business water consumption can be reduced.
Using water more efficiently means reducing the cost for water, less impacts on septic or sewage systems & helps protect the local ecosystem.
*This figure is from the Monteverde AYA.
HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO GENERALLY TO HELP CONSERVE WATER & PROTECT OUR RESOURCE.
Never leave the water running! Whether you are brushing your teeth, or washing dishes, turn the faucet off while you are working.
Fill a bucket with water when you are doing chores that require water.
Check all faucets for leaks and repair them promptly.
Whenever replacing plumbing fixtures, consider a model designed to save water. It may cost a bit more but will save you money and water over the long term.
These ideas are not new but it is helpful to be reminded of them. Here are a few specific things you can do.
B A T H R O O M
Bathrooms account for most of our water use in our homes. You can cut your water use by:
S H O W E R S
Put a bucket under the shower to collect water while it is getting hot and use this water for plants.
Take short showers, especially in the dry season. Aim for three minutes.
T O I L E T S
Toilets are a big water user in the house. Some use 9 to 13 litres per flush.
Putting a plastic bottle filled with water in your toilet tank will reduce the amount of water used per flush.
If you need a new toilet, a low flush one uses 4 to 6 litres per flush! This will save you water and money in the long term.
Leaky toilets lose litres of water per day. To check for a leak, put food coloring into the tank. If color appears in the bowl without flushing, there is a leak that needs to be repaired.
If its just urine, don’t flush. If you’re grossed out by the color put the toilet lid down.
KITCHEN
Steam vegetables & boil food in as little water as possible to save water & cooking fuel. Cool leftover water & use on plants.
Don't forget when drinking soda instead of tap water that it takes about 7 liters of water to manufacture a single plastic bottle; plastic bottles are made from non-renewable resources & often end up as garbage or litter along our roadsides.
L A U N D R Y
Try to do a load of laundry when the machine is full. Doing only full loads can save as much as 2000 litres of water each month.
Remember to adjust the water level on your washing machine to match the size of your load.
If you need a new washer, consider a water saving model. You can reduce 40% of the water used each time you wash and will save on water and energy costs.
O U T D O O R S
Outdoor watering in dry season can be 50% of your water use and is expensive.
Water in the morning or late afternoon during the dry season. Avoid watering on very windy days.
Use composted material around shrubs & plants to reduce evaporation from the soil surface and weeds.
It is natural for your lawn to turn brown during the dry season. It does not need to be watered.
Use a broom, not water from a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks.
Clean the car with a pail of soapy water & use the hose to rinse it off.
Collect rainwater in a covered barrel & use for watering your garden or washing your car.
Always turn off the hose at the faucet.
L O O K I N G T O T H E F U T U R E
Each of us is responsible for incorporating water conservation into our life so that clean fresh water will be available in Monteverde now and into the future. If we don’t, who will?
This brochure is a joint project of Monteverde Friends School, Monteverde Institute &
The Cloud Forest School
Comments
Post a Comment