Earth Friendly

When did humanity start using water for power? Where did the idea to create large-scale hydropower plants originate? If you’re wondering what the answers to these questions are, read Hydropower: Turning Back the Wheel.

It’s amazing how far we have come in the development of hydropower, and this source of energy will most likely have more significance in our future.

Water sustains life, so it’s important that you get your 8 glasses every day. When you drink enough water, you may notice an improvement in your skin and maybe even in your energy level. While it may be convenient to buy bottled water, there are various ways to filter the tap water that you are probably already paying for. Depending on which filter you choose, you can rid your water of chemicals such as chlorine, benzene, lead, mercury and iodine. For more information on filters and water test kits, read Improve Your Water Quality With Nifty Gadgets.

At Earth Friendly this week, it’s all about water. We will be discussing fun facts as well as ways to decrease your use of bottled water. You will also want to stay tuned to find out about cool gadgets that can help you filter tap water. So throughout this week, think about how much water you drink (is it enough?) and how much you waste (can it be prevented?).

Did you know that according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a typical American family uses 400 gallons of water every day? Approximately 30-40 percent is used outdoors to water lawns, flowers and gardens. Instead of using drinking water to water your outdoor plant projects, setup rain barrels. Rain barrels collect water running off of the roof, which can then be used to water flowers and grass. This would help preserve that 30-40 percent of drinking water that is used on the outdoors. Rain barrels are easy to setup. Remember you do need a cover for your barrel so that insects and debris don’t get into the water.

Photo Credit: Made available by www.rfcity.org.

With the threat of hurricanes Gustav and Fay, there is much anxiety and worry over the destruction that these storms will cause in the upcoming days. Although mandatory evacuations are in place, some people will not be able to afford the trip outside of their hometowns. There is dread that another hurricane Katrina like event will take place.

Hurricanes require three conditions in order for them to form: warm ocean water, evaporation and inward-spiraling winds. Once these conditions have been met, it can result in a Category 5 or 4 storm. However, the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects is expected to receive funding for the 2009 year to continue research on hurricanes. Their plan is to figure out a way to decrease the power of a hurricane. Brainstorming ways in which to pump cold water to the ocean’s surface are underway. If warm water is taken out of the equation, it reduces the risk of a storm to occur or it can reduce the impact of the storm.

While research like this is interesting, it makes you wonder what the consequences will be if we are able to control hurricanes.

Rain harvesting is a method where rain water is collected through a process and then later used for bathing, cleaning and gardening. If the right purification system is in place, this harvested water can be used as drinking water. There are many places all over the world that have issues with water. Some places don’t have clean water, while other places don’t have access to water at all. It’s definitely time to think of alternatives even if it means collecting rain off of rooftops.

There are two methods for collecting rain. One involves rooftops and using containers to catch the water. The other involves installing underground storage tanks along the sides of buildings. Both ways enable water to be easily collected. In addition, it’s a cheap way to conserve, and it can be taught to anyone willing to learn. The only issue is ensuring that the water is clean by using purification systems.

For me, it’s been a disappointing summer, because the lake I usually go to is contaminated. Apparently, there are unsafe levels of E. coli in the water. Not only does this put a damper on my summer time fun, but it makes me wary of swimming in lakes and oceans now. Swimming in E. coli contaminated water can cause gastroenteritis, infections of the ear, nose and throat and rashes.

So how do unsafe levels of E. coli enter our lakes and oceans? Storm water runoff, sewage spills and overflows are the most common causes. In 2007, there were 20,000 beach closings and advisory days. So keep yourself safe by watching the news and keeping in touch with your local health department. If you smell sewage or see excessive amounts of trash, you shouldn’t risk your health to go swimming.

Photo Credit: Made available by www.flickr.com.

The majority of the Earth’s water, specifically 99% of it, makes up oceans, ice caps and glaciers, so only 1% is left for humans to use.

Although we have a limited water supply, this does not stop us from wasting water or contaminating it. It’s important to keep the quality of water, because as the above statistic shows, it’s essential to conserve what little we have.  In addition, over 90% of U.S.’s citizens obtain their drinking water from one of 53,000 community water systems in the nation. For over 30 years, the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) has prevented further contamination in its attempt to protect and preserve water quality in the United States.

There are a couple ways in which this act regulates contaminants. First, for each type of contaminant regulated under the act, the Environmental Protection Agency sets a non-enforceable health goal or maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG). Contaminants at these levels pose no known or expected health risk.  Second, a treatment method is established to clean out the contaminants that are above their MCLG.

Without the SDWA, citizens of the United States would be subject to poor water conditions, which would seriously affect our health and cause an increased number of deaths.

Photo Credit: Made available by www.revivenaturally.com.