Last week Kathleen Shecter witnessed a crime scene.  There was no blood or dead body.  The crime was a crime against her community and future generations.  Kathleen saw an older man power washing his driveway.

“Unless it’s a murder scene and you are the chief suspect and therefore washing away evidence against you,” Kathleen joked, “there is no reason to wash a dirty driveway.”

Only 1% of all the water on Earth is usable.  The rest is salt water or frozen.  The average family of 4 uses 400 gallons of water a day.  That is about the same as taking 10 baths.

The nation’s water supplies and distribution systems are increasingly stressed by the public demand for water.  A recent government survey showed at least 36 states are anticipating water shortages by 2013.  By using water more efficiently, we can help preserve water supplies for future generations.

Kathleen, who is my green guru, offers the following helpful suggestions on simple ways to decrease water consumption on a daily basis: 

1.  Install a low flow showerhead for each bathroom. Most showerheads use twice the water needed for a thorough shower.  Every day 3 billion gallons of water flow through showerheads in the United States. 

2.  Turn water off when brushing teeth. Why do we feel the need to leave it running?  Water savings: 8 gallons per day.

3.  Use the “old” water from pet bowls to water plants. Hey, the plants don’t care!

4.  Make sure every load of laundry is a full one.  Don’t wash partial loads.  Water savings: 15 gallons. 

5.  Don’t rinse dishes.  Just scrape the food off and then load.  Run only full loads.  Water savings:  2 gallons of water per day. 

6.  Use run off water.  When I rinse produce in my salad spinner I remove the basket, dump the water into my watering can for later plant watering or dump it into plants right then. And then I spin. 

7.  Don’t wash your car at home.  I wash my car at one of those self-wash places that recycle the water. It goes down a drain in the carport and gets recycled. No washing the car in the driveway for me.  Water savings:  25 gallons.

8.  Don’t power wash sidewalks, driveways, or decks. The number of gallons of water used in those high pressure gadgets is alarming. Instead I get out the stiff bristle broom, some good biodegradable soap and scrub with a bucket of water. Then you can use the regular hose to rinse. Hey, who needs the gym? Great upper body workout, and the calories burned……wow!  Water savings: 22 gallons per week. 

9.  Don’t use the toilet as a “trash can”.  This can save you 1.6 gallons daily.  Be sure the toilet you DO have is low flush one. They use half the water for each flush. If you can’t afford to replace (though it pays for itself in the long run), put a brick in the tank.  Does the same thing, low-tech.  Water savings:  8 gallons at 4 flushes daily.

10.  Don’t water the lawn or other landscaping at the peak of the day.  I see so many sprinklers going off at noon! Water before 6am or after 8pm when the temperature is cooler. Be sure all sprinklers are in working order and that you aren’t watering the sidewalk! If it’s running down the gutter you are wasting water (and your money - be prepared for a rise in your water bill - it’s coming.)  Water savings: 20 gallons per day.

This week for our Monday mitzvah join me in taking the 10 Gallon Challenge and shave 10 gallons off of your daily water consumption. What other ways have you found to save water?  

“Now I used to think that I was cool
Running around on fossil fuel
Until I saw what I was doin’
Was driving down the road to ruin.”

From the song ‘Traffic Jam’ by James Taylor

I drove too much this weekend. I took about 8 separate trips to run errands that could have been consolidated into one had I done a little planning. Not to mention a glorious drive to the beach at Half Moon Bay. I don’t feel guilty about the trip to Half Moon Bay because it brought so much pleasure to my family. However, I do feel guilty about the 8 trips to the store.

For this week’s Monday Mitzvah let’s work on taking the road less traveled and drive less. With the price of gas these days this good deed not only helps the world but also our wallets. We all know we should drive less but how many of us really do. Driving is somewhat of an addiction. It is easy, fun and makes us feel powerful.  Riding a bike to the store just doesn’t have the same kind of thrill.

To help you deal with automobile withdrawal is an organization called Autoholics Anonymous.  They offer support to “recovering autoholics to guide you on your path to finding your two feet again.”  I need this program! I could easily walk to the store if I planned properly.  I know “there is a power greater than me” that can help me get over my car addiction. However, I need to start with baby steps.

Autoholics Anonymous offers a 12 Step program to help you deal with your car addiction. I have 5 simple suggestions to help us get started:

1. Consolidate Car Trips: Plan out your weekly errands and do them all in one or two trips.
2. Coordinate a Carpool: Find a friend in the neighborhood who has the same errands and double up. It will be more fun and you will save time and money.
3. Bust out the Bike: Dust off your bike, throw on a backpack and pedal your way to a neighborhood market for your supplies. It is good for the environment and good for your soul
4. Go for a Goal: It is hard to achieve objectives without having a goal. For example, only allow yourself to fill up your gas tank twice a month. If that is your goal, you will think twice about taking all those extra trips to the store.
5. Forget the Freeway; Take the Information Highway: The internet is one of our best tools for helping the environment. You can avoid many trips to the mall and the store by shopping online. Negotiate an arrangement with your work to telecommute one day a week. Hold meetings via conference call or web instead of in person.

What techniques have you used to cut down the amount you drive?