CO2 and Drinking Water

Saturday, October 24, 2009 is International Day of Climate Action

Visit www.350.org for more information

Meanwhile, here are some ideas about reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Bottled Water & Energy Consumption

The Pacific Institute says that the entire energy costs of a bottle of water’s lifecycle are equivalent to filling up a quarter of each bottle with oil. Multiply that by the 35 billion bottles of water consumed in America in 2006. Or consider that making bottles to meet America’s demand for

Find alternatives to plastic water bottles

bottled water – 17 million barrels of oil were used in 2007. That’s enough fuel for one-million US cars a year. Then there is the 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide associated with the production, shipping and waste of bottled water.

In other words, “…bottled water is up to 2000 times more energy intensive than tap water.”

 

Salt and Potassium Water Conditioning

It’s official. While the established soft water industry has fought tooth and nail to oppose AB1366, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently announced his signing  legislation aimed at reducing California’s greenhouse gas emissions, which included AB1366.

AB 1366 addresses excess salinity from residential water softeners.  The bills addresses surface and groundwater supplies that are susceptible to salt contamination from conventional water softening systems.  The bill includes the Central Coast hydrologic region.

The Santa Cruz Sentinel reports, “Most softeners waste water and cause recycling and sewage treatment issues. The most environmentally damaging softeners are the type that use salt and regenerate on a preset timer schedule. The amount of water used for regeneration varies, but is roughly 75 gallons. Many systems are set to regenerate too frequently.”

The water softeners that regenerate on a preset schedule were banned in the city of Scotts Valley in the early 1990s, mainly to prevent overloading the wastewater recycling system with sodium.

Finding an Alternative

There are many drinking water systems for your home that will remove the contaminates, chlorine, and other toxins, like pesticides, VOCs, lead, mercury,  and pharmaceuticals from your drinking water.

Besides lessening your carbon footprint, switching to tap water from home will also save  you money.

A reusable steel hydration bottle is BPA free will divert plastic bottles from landfills and our waterways.

 Salt Free Water Conditioning

You can reduce your conventional soft water conditioner’s environmental impact .  Some ideas include, as reported by the Santa Cruz Sentinel: 1) Use less salt. The literature suggests most softeners use twice as much salt than is really needed.  2) Reduce the frequency of the regeneration cycle in timer clock systems; consider a five-day cycle. 3) Retrofit time clock systems with a demand-initiated kit.

 You can also explore alternative household water conditioning systems. 

 There are  inexpensive under-kitchen counter systems found at you local appliance dealers, and the market also offers a wide-variety of salt-free systems that treat your entire house.

 Be mindful of whether the system requires backwashing, or requires regular filter exchange and/or maintenance.

 We agree that water is a precious resource. 

 

“…when man has forgotten his origins and is blind even to his most essential needs for survival, water along with other resources has become the victim of his indifference.” Rachel Carson

Explore posts in the same categories: Drinking Water, Water Softener Ban

Tags: Bottled Water, Drinking Water, Environment, Water, Water Softeners, water softner ban

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