California bears the dubious distinction of being one of those states where water conservation is not so much an option as a lifestyle, due to the fickle nature of the Mediterranean climate we live in, coupled with the weather pattern shifts Climate Change is bringing to the western states (well, every place, really).
Yet, with each new drought and subsequent request that people conserve more, the question is inevitably asked: How much more can we do?
California endured nasty droughts since before there was even a place called California, and most people do the right thing and use water wisely. They are now being asked to reduce an additional 20 percent of water usage, which can be difficult if you kept up with the conservation measures you started doing in the late 1980's, during the last great drought.
That's the position we are in here at the Hot Flash Homestead. We don't always flush (TMI?), we rarely wash our cars, and we've taken out almost all of our lawn. So the 20 percent has to come from somewhere, and we've decided it's going to be here:
Yes, I think there's still room to save water in the bath and shower. Starting now, we will be recycling the bathtub water, using a siphon and tubing, out to what's left of our lawn. This way we can drastically cut down on the water we're using to water. Grey Water is safe to use on lawn, shrubs and trees -- just not on vegetables. Even more so since I make all our soap from gentle, natural ingredients, easily biodegradable, without any harsh chemicals.
We are also looking at water collection barrels, which would allow our roof's rain runoff to be stored for drier months.
I'm not sure if it will get us to a 20 percent reduction in use since we already conserve so much, but it will help.
Of course the biggest and best changes would come if everyone in the state removed most of their lawns, if golf courses shut down or changed over to AstroTurf, and if swimming pools, agricultural ponding basins or reservoirs were covered to prevent evaporation. But at this point, I guess that's asking too much of people. So for now, we all do a little, and hope it helps a lot.
But, I suppose every drop in the bucket helps. And so we adjust our usage downward ... one more time.
 |
| Dark skies at noon |
It's been a dry year so far, but today the rain poured down for about an hour or so. It probably won't do much to improve our precipitation stats, but it was a welcome change from our un-seasonably sunny and warm winter so far.
I was happy to see it, because we water our vegetable garden with well water. And our well water is extremely high in mineral content, as you can see by residue on the Mason jar I use to heat the water for our coffee every morning. It's delicious water, but needless to say, we won't be needing any calcium supplements anytime soon.
 |
| Mineral Build-up |
 |
| The cure |
So this afternoon, even though it was a cool 46 degrees when it started raining, I ran outside to catch some roof runoff so I could water our raised vegetable beds. Mineral-rich water is not harmful to drink or even to water your plants with, but if you water with it often enough (as we do through the dry seasons and in winter if there's no rain) those minerals will build-up in the soil and can affect plant growth and production. Out in the fields, there's not much you can do about this but pray for heavy rains, but with raised garden or vegetable beds you can give them a good wash-out by collecting rainwater and soaking your beds with it.
While I was out there, though, the sky grew extremely dark and the temperature dropped at least 10 degrees...and the rain went from pelting to slushy. Nonetheless, I stayed at my post, doing bucket duty until all the beds (and I) were thoroughly soaked and my fingers were numb and aching from the cold. It may seem silly to cry cold when much of the nation is experiencing a blizzard as I write this, but standing outside in the wind and rain, soaking wet, when it's only in the high '30's is cold, believe me.
But then I had the privilege of coming indoors for my farmer's reward....some hot spiced tea, a good read, and the pellet stove warming me from head to toe and drying my wet clothes.
All for some rain water. Precious rain water. Totally worth it.
