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MCC Daily Tribune

Green Tip: Water, water, everywhere...

In “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Coleridge, the crew is surrounded by undrinkable salt water. While we have potable water, did you know that Monroe County as part of the Great Lakes Drought Region in NYS is currently in an official Drought Watch (11/25/2020)? The drought watch is triggered by the State Drought Index, which compares four parameters to historic or "normal" values to evaluate drought conditions: stream flows, precipitation, lake and reservoir storage levels, and groundwater levels.  The least severe of the stages, a drought watch is declared when a drought is developing. Public water suppliers begin to conserve water and urge customers to reduce water use.

How can you reduce water use?

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has easy water saving tips that anyone can do!

  • Turn off the faucet while shaving, brushing teeth, and washing dishes.
    The average person uses 10.9 gallons of water from the faucet a day.
  • Fix dripping and leaking faucets and toilets.
    A leaky faucet can waste 54 gallons of water a month!
  • Don't run the tap to make water cold.
    Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator for drinking.
  • Don’t use the toilet for waste like tissues or gum.
    You'll save up to 6 gallons of water each time you don't flush unnecessarily.
  • Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry.
    The average dishwasher uses 8-12 gallons whether or not it's a full load.
  • Take shorter showers or fill the bathtub only part way.
    The average person uses 15 gallons a day in bathing and hygiene.

Ann Penwarden
Sustainability Steering Committee’s Recycling Committee
03/09/2021