Water conservation comments too good to waste

I recently posted Butler on Drinking which concerned Chronicle columnist and Duke senior Kristin Butler’s recent column on the water shortage in the Duke-Durham area.

Some JinC Regulars and others commented. Here’s the thread so far, after which I offer a few comments.
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mb said...

I like the sign posted on many toilets that are connected to septic tanks and drainfields: "If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down." Each flush takes ~2.5 gallons of water, and on older toilets, ~5 gallons, so flushing only when solid material is present in the toilet can add up to a lot of savings.
2:22 PM

Ralph Phelan said...

Stop watering the golf course.

Duh.
2:42 PM

Anonymous said...

What ever Kristin Butler ends up in charge of (and I'm sure she'll be in charge) she'll do a great job. She's just got good sense!
4:31 PM

Anonymous said...

drink beer

6:43 PM

Bob said...

Ha! mb's comment above reminded me of a saying we had long ago during a water shortage in Pittsburgh:

"Don't flush without a solid reason!"

Cheers,
--Bob

10:59 PM

Anonymous said...

The biggest water wasters in existence are toilet flappers, the flat disc that is lifted to flush,attached by a chain to the flush lever handle arm inside the tank.These silent leakers only last about 3 years before needing replacement.

The "if it's yellow let it mellow" deal comes at a price, calcium buildup in the passageways of the toilet.Occasional soaking with white vinegar helps remove excess calcium. Modern toilets use only 1.6 gallons of water.Do not use anything to displace the water or lower the recommended water line in your toilet,as you will use more water due to extra flushes to clear it out.

Rullie N.C. licensed Plumber (35 years)
3:43 AM

GPrestonian said...

Always take showers w/ a chick.
4:43 AM

Ralph Phelan said...

Many toilets in Japan have a two-way lever: Pushing it one way gives you a tiny flush, just enough to clear a purely liquid load. Pushing it the other way gives a nice healthy log-jam-clearing flush that always gets the job done on the first try.
9:16 AM
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1) Re Kristin doing a great work at some future task: I agree. I’m also struck by how often people commenting on her column make the same point.

2) I always appreciate it when someone who earns h/her living at a particular job takes time to explain aspects of h/her work the general reader would not know. So a special thanks goes to Rullie, the plumber.

3) GPrestonian hasn’t commented here for awhile. Question to GPrestonian: Would that be because you’ve discovered “showers w/a chick?” They’re usually very time-consuming, and definitely not recommended for water conservation.

Thank you all for commenting.