WATER AND ENERGY

Many persons do not see any link between energy and water. As most persons are familiar with the fact that water comes from rain and from the rivers and is collected in dams or reservoirs there is no direct link to petroleum or the price of oil. When one begins however to think about the processes involved in getting piped water into our homes then the connection becomes more clear.
At the collection point, for example the Mona Reservoir, the water has to be treated to make it safe for human consumption and for domestic purposes. This is referred to as potable water that must then be pumped, using electricity, through several pumping stations then into pipes that lead into our homes.

It takes electricity to pump water
This is just one of the relays involved in the entire process that requires energy in the form of electricity which comes from petroleum. Simply put it takes electricity to pump water to our homes. Therefore wasting water is wasting electricity and this contributes to our increasing oil bill as a nation. The nation's oil importation bill requires foreign exchange that must be earned locally through production and industries such as agriculture and tourism. The more money that has to be spent on importing oil is the less money that is available to be reinvested into production.

What can each householder do?
Each householder can reduce energy wastage by checking all pipes and pipe fixtures in and around their homes, churches and communities. The money that is spent to have a plumber check your property for leaks is much less than the money spent for paying high water bills, especially if the water is going to waste. There are also conservation tips that can be applied to everyday tasks such as watering plants and washing cars. For instance, you can use the water left over from washing the dishes to water your garden and your lawn. This is referred to as grey water and the mild soapy residue will not harm your plants. Never keep the hose on while washing your car or when watering the lawn. In most cases more water than will be required will be wasted.

Personal Hygiene
Personal hygiene is a very important component of an individual's health. But even here conservation tips apply. These include, taking shorter showers, turn off the pipe between lathering or soaping your body. Also turn off the pipe while you apply the shampoo or conditioner to your hair. Even while brushing your teeth you can conserve water, by simply filling a small cup with the water you will need and then turning off the tap while you are actually brushing your teeth.

Conservation begins in the Bathroom
Every flush of the toilet bowl could use between five and seven gallons of water. If you do not have one of the smaller more efficient toilet tanks that use a minimum amount of water, you may add small stones gently to the bottom of your toilet tank. This reduces the volume of water needed for each flush and will save you money on your monthly water bill. All of these tips may result in only small savings, but imagine how much could be saved if each member of the family applies them and when the savings are accrued over one whole year?

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