4. Why do we need to live sustainably?
Courtesy of Ramsay Taum, Hawaii Nature Center
5. Water Audit
Purpose
To assist schools in
practicing responsible
stewardship of our water
resources.
Method
Identify the characteristics
and quantities of water
usage.
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~opgenort/me/HILife.html
7. Water Audit Materials
• Clip board
• Pen
• Paper
• Timer
• Flow Cups
• Camera
• Water Data Sheet
www.investinginwater.org, www.nature.org
8. Water Audit Method
Sinks
• Hold a flow cup underneath
a sink and turn the faucet
on completely.
• Time the flow for 10
seconds.
• Read the water level on the
flow cup and record.
• Record the sink aerator
label.
• If flow rate is different from
the label, mark it.
http://tinyurl.com/a6phjo8
10. Water Audit Method
• Create a bathroom floor map of each bathroom
• Include whether it’s a female/male restroom, floor
number, and location
• Document room numbers if applicable
• Mark in red fixtures which are leaking
15. XERISCAPING WITH NATIVES
Weather-Based Irrigation Systems
Oahu Planting Guide
What and How to Plant in Your Area
/www.boardofwatersupply.com/cssweb/display.cfm?sid=1360
16. #2 Don’t water lawns between 9am - 5pm
Photo Hunter Industries
22. www.epa.gov/watersense/water.htm
• Conservation saves money on utility bills!
Electricity = EnergyStar Water = WaterSense
• Use 20% less water over average counterparts
• Includes toilets, shower heads, faucets, weather-
based irrigation controllers
24. Resources
Board of Water Supply
www.hbws.org
WaterSense
•www.epa.gov/watersense/water.htm
Water Audit
•greenschools.net/
Water Footprint
•ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/sc4.html
•environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwa
ter/water-footprint-calculator/
•www.waterfootprint.org
Editor's Notes
None of this can be possible without the efforts and support of our educational Partners who have funded the cost of the toolkits and also providing training for today’s event
We also are greatful to our Sponsors who have continued supporting our vision for green schools for everyone within this generation! Last but not least, we must thank the USGBC Hawaii Green Schools Committee who have been working weekends, after work, during work! to coordinate the details, can the members please stand to be recognized.
Water is a finite resource. Between70 and 75 % of the Earth's surface is covered with water, but only 1 % of that is available for human use. While both population and demand on freshwater resources are increasing, supply remains constant—there is the same amount of water now as there was 2 billion years ago. Water efficiency helps preserve our water supply for future generations. 70 % of the Earth's surface is covered with water 3% fresh water <1% available for human consumption Water supplies are finite and we can all help protect this critical and precious resource.
Rainfall is Oahu's primary water resource for streams and groundwater supply. Ideally, within a healthy watershed, there are multilayered canopy forests that capture and retain rainfall, allowing it to seep into the underground aquifers. On Oahu, these groundwater aquifers are our primary source of drinking water constituting almost 100% of the municipal water supply
1 Water lawns just 2-3 times a week - you promote deeper root growth, making your lawn healthier and more water-efficient. 2 water in the early morning, evening, or at night. It'll keep the water where you want it: in your lawn. 3 Check for leaks in plumbing and toilets. Checking toilet leaks is even easier with a free Board of Water Supply test tablet. Install water-efficient plumbing fixtures. Take shorter showers. pause the water while you lather, shave, or shampoo. Put a nozzle on your garden hose. Don't let the faucet run and run. Turn off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving.
Water lawns just 2-3 times a week. Lawns don't need to be watered every day. Even during the summer. The fact is, if you water just once every three days, you promote deeper root growth, making your lawn healthier and more water-efficient. If you have timed irrigation at your schools, you can adjust your timer settings for winter to a shorter duration. Please refer to LICH BMPs that BWS also partnered with (added in 10/24/12)
CAT We can mention that BWS would work with a school interested in a large rain barrel Conservation of natural resources not a new concept for some Hawaiians, but need to saturate the general public with philosophies and products for more aggressive conservation. The BWS already has some programs in place: education and outreach, detect-a-leak week, xeriscape demonstration gardens, etc. Drought tolerant plants, native plants, xeriscape, mulches/gravel Planning the garden is important. Water use zone Smart irrigation: daily operating schedule based on weather, wind, solar and rain Efficient Irrigation systems: drip irrigation, moisture sensors and on-site weather stations. (10/24/12) added in photo and deleted some of the redundant notes
Rainfall and elevation Native plants, that do well in dry, mesic and wet climates Not all plants are available in local nurseries Dry 0”-47” annual rainfall Mesic 48”-98” Wet > 98” ET is about 50”, so rainfall above 50” tends to not need as much irrigation. Also are the high recharge areas. ET < 50”, needs irrigation.
Don't water lawns between 9am and 5pm. Water evaporates quickly when the sun is out. So if you water during the day, you're not watering the lawn, you're watering the sky. Instead, water in the early morning, evening, or at night. It'll keep the water where you want it: in your lawn.
Check for leaks in plumbing and toilets. How? Turn off water throughout your house, check your water meter, and check back two hours later. If it has moved, something's leaking. Checking toilet leaks is even easier with a free Board of Water Supply test tablet.
Install water-efficient plumbing fixtures. A new toilet installed after 1992 saves 1.5 gallons or more for every flush. A new showerhead can save up to 2.5 gallons every minute Significant water savings through regulations on fixtures Reduction in End Uses of Water: Showerheads = 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) Faucets = 2.5 gpm Water Closets = 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) Urinals = 1.0 gpf
Take shorter showers. Every minute you trim from your shower saves three to six gallons of water. So get in and out a little faster, or pause the water while you lather, shave, or shampoo. If you are using an electric water heater cutting just two minutes per shower could save up to 1,533 kWh and $306 per year.Water Savings is 11,000 gallons per year for a family of 3 estimating 2 showers per day.
Put a nozzle on your garden hose. Left unattended, a running garden hose can waste over 100 gallons in just minutes. Use a shutoff or pressure nozzle, so you only use what you need when you're watering the plants, cleaning the house or washing the car. Submetering shower heads and garden hoses. Submeter landscape irrigation systems Can’t manage water use if we don’t know how much water is used from day to day
Don't let the faucet run and run. Turn off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving. In the kitchen, us a dishpan for soapy water, and rinse with clean water quickly. Just imagine all that water running all over the counter or floor, instead of down the drain. That'll give you a hint at how much water you're accidentally wasting.
WaterSense is similar to ENERGY STAR in that both programs work toward market enhancement and public recognition through the labeling of products and programs. One of the main differences between these two programs is that WaterSense requires third-party certification of its products and services, ensuring that they comply with WaterSense's specifications. Another major difference is that WaterSense focuses on water-using products and services that don't require energy to run, solely focusing on their water-efficient properties. ENERGY STAR includes water-using products that conserve energy. BWS is a WaterSense partner and we promote WaterSense Labeled products. Look for this label at your home improvement store. These products are 3 rd party tested for efficiency and visit their website at: http://www.epa.gov/watersense/water.htm to learn more about the program and the list of products have the label. Toilets, shower heads, faucets, and watersense architects Hunter and Weathermatic
For high school students: http://greenschools.net/ USGS drip calculator
