True Confessions
Forgive me reader for I have sinned. It’s been two weeks since my last blog. Since then I have received a bill from the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). We have used an excessive amount of water in the first two weeks living in our new home. By excessive, I mean about 1,600 gallons per day on average, which is about six times the average for a household in the East Bay. There, it’s out there. I feel like an overweight doctor admitting to a two-pack a day cigarette habit.
After hearing the news from EBMUD, Michele and I did some soul searching, which led us directly to the irrigation system, which we have pretty much ignored since moving in, since neither one of us could figure out how to program the darn thing. But there is nothing that focuses the mind like guilt. I took out my sword of self-righteousness and cut, cut, cut– to half as much water for half the amount of time on half the days. That’s more than an 85% reduction.
Since the cuts, we haven’t noticed a big difference in the lawn and plants. The crabgrass looks as good as ever. If we are right, and I think we are, that it is the irrigation that is using the bulk of the water, and not showers, cooking, and laundry, than the next billing cycle should get us down to at least the average amount of water used. Not perfect for a professional water- and energy-use haranguer, but a good start.
We also contacted EBMUD and scheduled a water audit of our indoor and outdoor water use. Michele called and left a message and they returned her call in an hour! This utility is on our side! (Go the their Web site, www.ebmud.com, and click on the Conservation and Recycling link on the left-hand side of the page to find out more.) Someone is actually coming to our house the day this blog will appear. I’m sure other water utilities in the Bay Area offer similar services.
I firmly resolve with the help of EBMUD to sin no more.
I know some of you are looking at your water bill, comparing it to ours, and feeling a tad good about yourselves. Go ahead, you deserve it. But don’t get used to it!
Jim Gunshinan is Managing Editor of Home Energy Magazine. He holds an M.S. in Bioengineering from Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, and a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree from University of Notre Dame.
BY YOUR COMMENTS, I TAKE IT YOU WERE A PRIEST AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER.
Yes, Frank, I was. Now I sit on the other side of the altar rail.
Is this “Holy” water? or was it more like “Holy @!#$ when you got the bill??
Can I do the same with my wife’s bills? I’ve tried rationing her, but it appears now the water you’re saving, I’m drowning in. Help!
As you update your outside gardens, you may want to minimize the grass space and maximize the mulch space. Filling the mulch beds with drought friendly greens, flowers and ornamental grasses will save on water and provide you a heaven on earth environment.
Go forth and sin no more!
Mary Ellen, Carlos, and Anne Marie,
Thanks for the comments and suggestions. We just found out we have a major leak in the pipe carrying water from the street to our house! So, in good conscience, we’ve been turning the water on and off at the meter in the morning for showers and evening for cooking, until we can get the leak fixed. It’s not too bad. A little like camping.
Rationing works to save water, but for the sake of your marriage, Carlos, I’d try gentle persuasion.
There is much mulch in our future, Anne Marie.
Mary Ellen, it was more like the second, Holy @!#$, and that has continued each morning and evening while we have been “camping.”
It’s a bit of a project, but if your main water line is steel, replacing it rather than patching it (with plastic or copper) will be less grief and money spent in the long run. You’ll likely get better water flow too… which won’t matter as you’ll only be using a few drops now and again ;~)