NaturalFreeChoice.com is a blog about permaculture. The mission of this blog is to help people learn about how to become sustainable and live harmoniously in relation to our earth. It is about responsible consumption, community values, sustainable production of food and other related information.
Water Management
We can help the environment and at the same time reduce costs. Some of the ways to start is being aware of the waste produced in our home, also what resources could be used in a more efficient way so that we can save water and other resources, therefore reducing the associated costs. Following are some ideas for water management:
1) Reuse water to feed the plant - the water can come from several ways:
a) Dishwashing water - Use buckets for washing, for example two buckets can be used for one bucket for soap and water and other with only water to rinse the dishes. Use biodegradable soap for dishwashing so you can reuse it.
b) Compost Shower - Use biodegradable soap
c) Kitchen water - Water used from other kitchen uses, like water from boiled potatoes.
d) Dish drying racks - You can build a rack over an area where you are growing plants, then clean water drips into the ground this way watering the plants.
2) Manage plant watering efficiently
a ) Avoid over watering the plants - The correct amount of water depends on the type of soil, the type of plant, etc.
b) Group plants according to watering needs
c) Reduce evaporation – Use mulch or compost, water in the morning or evening
3) Use less water
a) Compost toilet - They use small amounts of water, some do not use any water.
b) Turn off water after use
c) Collect water - you can build a rainwater collection system where allowed
5) Reforestation - It help reducing strong winds which can dry the soil
These methods not only help us managing water and saving costs, we also save time implementing more efficient ways of using water. We can work also with our community and get different ideas and keep improving our water management.
There are some related links and material:
hackneypermaculture.org.uk
http://hackneypermaculture.org.uk/category/recycling/
idepfoundation.org - MODULE 3 - Houses, Water & Waste Management
http://www.idepfoundation.org/permaculture.html
home.comcast.net - part 6 - water
http://home.comcast.net/~billgile/site/?/blog/view/1/%3Cbr%20/%3E
