Household Water Use

Fig. 14-4a, p. 309 Average annual precipitation (centimeters) More than 122 Less than 4181–122 41–81 Images removed due to copyright restrictions.

Fig. 14-4b, p. 309 Images removed due to copyright restrictions.

Fig. 14-8, p. 314 Images removed due to copyright restrictions.

Water usage - U.S.A. and China Figure by UMB OpenCourseWare.

Images removed due to copyright restrictions.

Quabbin Reservoir Source Reservoirs: 477 billion gallons Source Reservoirs: 477 billion gallons Quabbin Reservoir: 412 billion gallons Quabbin Reservoir: 412 billion gallons Wachusett Reservoir: 65 billion gallons Wachusett Reservoir: 65 billion gallons Images removed due to copyright restrictions.

MWRA Water Supply 215 Million gallons per day 215 Million gallons per day Quabbin holds 4 year supply Quabbin holds 4 year supply Image courtesy of Massachusetts Water Resources AuthorityMassachusetts Water Resources Authority

MetroWest Tunnel $728M $728M 17.6 miles, 14 diameter 17.6 miles, 14 diameter deep deep 100 million gallons/d 100 million gallons/d 7 years 7 years Completed 2004 Completed 2004 Image courtesy of Massachusetts Water Resources AuthorityMassachusetts Water Resources Authority

Blue Hills Covered Storage (20M gallons;180M gallons total)

Supply and Demand Image courtesy of Massachusetts Water Resources AuthorityMassachusetts Water Resources Authority

Reduction in average water use was achieved through: Vigorous leak detection and repair efforts on MWRA and community pipes Vigorous leak detection and repair efforts on MWRA and community pipes Retrofitting 370,000 homes with low-flow plumbing devices Retrofitting 370,000 homes with low-flow plumbing devices A Water Management Program for area businesses, municipal buildings and nonprofit organizations A Water Management Program for area businesses, municipal buildings and nonprofit organizations Extensive public information and school education programs Extensive public information and school education programs A change in the state plumbing code requiring new toilets to be 1.6 gallon per flush A change in the state plumbing code requiring new toilets to be 1.6 gallon per flush Meter improvements that helped track and analyze community water use Meter improvements that helped track and analyze community water use New water-efficient technology that has created reductions in residential use New water-efficient technology that has created reductions in residential use Water pipeline replacement and rehabilitation projects throughout the MWRA and community systems. Water pipeline replacement and rehabilitation projects throughout the MWRA and community systems.

Household Water Usage Town Water Usage Town Water Usage ecomwatuse.htm ecomwatuse.htm ecomwatuse.htm ecomwatuse.htm Water Saving Tips Water Saving Tips ation/hometips.htm ation/hometips.htm ation/hometips.htm ation/hometips.htm

Water Use Homework Calculate how much water you use per week (per person). Calculate how much water you use per week (per person). What are the different uses of water in your house? What are the different uses of water in your house? How often do you use this water per week? How often do you use this water per week? How fast is the water supplied? How fast is the water supplied? How many people use this water? How many people use this water? Show calculations Show calculations

Fig , p. 327 Solutions Reducing Water Waste Redesign manufacturing processes Repair leaking underground pipes Landscape yards with plants that require little water Use drip irrigation Fix water leaks Use water meters Raise water prices Use waterless composting toilets Require water conservation in water- short cities Use water-saving toilets, showerheads, and front loading clothes washers Collect and reuse household water to irrigate lawns and nonedible plants Purify and reuse water for houses, apartments, and office buildings Don't waste energy

Fig , p. 333 What Can You Do? Water Use and Waste Use water-saving toilets, showerheads, and faucet aerators. Shower instead of taking baths, and take short showers. Stop water leaks. Turn off sink faucets while brushing teeth, shaving, or washing. Flush toilets only when necessary. Wash only full loads of clothes or use the lowest water-level for smaller loads. Use recycled (gray) water for lawn, gardens, house plants, car washing. Wash a car from a bucket of soapy water, and use the hose for rinsing only. If you use a commercial car wash, try to find one that recycles its water. Replace your lawn with native plants that need little if any watering and decorative gravel or rocks. Water lawns and gardens in the early morning or evening. Sweep or blow off driveways instead of hosing off with water. Use drip irrigation and mulch for gardens and flowerbeds.