Galster- notes on new literacy continued...

IDEAS TO CONSERVE WATER!!
turn off water when brushing your teeth, shaving, and washing your hands
never liter, it eventually goes into the gutters, which lead out into waterways
fix leaky faucets
water lawn in morning or night, and avoid watering during strong winds
collect rain water in large buckets to water lawn and garden
take a short shower instead of a bath
only run dishwasher and laundry machine when full
use tap water instead of bottled water
when buying new appliances, choose energy efficient ones
teach friends and family about the importance of conserving water
Wetlands are just that... Wetlands!
They are seen as swamps and marshes. They are often transitional areas, located between dry lands and deeper waters, such as lakes and rivers.
Wetlands have been drained and thus ruined for a variety of reasons mainly based upon Urban and Suburban devlopment. These include filling and/or draining wetlands for houses, roads, waste disposal sites, and other construction sites made by humans.
When wetlands are destroyed, it increases the risk of flooding and decreases the natural abillity of wet lands to filter out many polutants from the water cycle. Additionally, destruction of wetlands robs habitats of rare and endangered species. More over, this causes more animals to rely on smaller basins of water, which increases disease, and thus deaths in many species of animals.
As our population and cities have grown and developed, more and more land is replaced with buildings and concrete, leading to a decrease in the ground's ability to absorb water. With the permeable land dissapearing there is no place for water to go but straight back into our water ways. This becomes a problem because as the water flows to the water ways it picks up pollutants, which eventually end up in our rivers, lakes, and oceans.
So, what can you do to help? Help prevent runoff by making/using rain gardens, vegetated rooftops, rain barrels, permeable pavements, and green landscaping within impermeable surfaces (such as parking lots.)
More than half of the United States' wetlands have been depleted since the 1700's.
Since water costs money, saving water will save you money. Majority of home owners over water landscapes buy up to 30%. Freshwater withdrawals have tripled over the last 50 years. While we continue to waste exuberant amounts of fresh water, about 80% of diseases in developing countries are caused by unclean water.
By 2025, 1 out of every 4 people will live in a country that is short of water.
By 2050, 4 billion people may be living without enough clean water.
While Ethiopians use approximately 2 gallons of water a day, Americans use over 200 gallons a day!