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by Donna B.
Yeaw
 We can't get along without water but our society tends to take a
constant flow of clean, pure water for granted. Even RVers can be guilty of
wasting water. Unless you are a frequent boondocker, you are probably wasting
water without realizing it. Many campgrounds are on well water and drought
conditions are straining their resources as campers head to the woods to cool
off.
In fact, one campground we were at recently had to close their laundry
facility because of the current water shortages.
Take a peek at some of the tips below. I hope you'll find at least one way
you can help conserve water during these precarious days ahead.
Water Conservation Hints
Cooking & Clean Up
- Serve food in the pans they are cooked in.
You're *camping*, remember! No one cares whether you use your best serving bowl
or a pan and you'll have fewer dishes to wash.
- Don't leave the water running while doing
dishes. If you have a twin-sink, fill one side approximately halfway with warm
soapy water. Fill the other side half way with warm, clear water. If you don't
have a twin sink, use a dishpan or large bowl for the soapy water. As you wash
the dishes, rinse them in the clear side. You'll will save quite a bit of water
this way.
- Use the same principle for washing vegetables
and fruits. Wash them in bulk in a filled sink or bowl rather then under running
water.
- And again, the same principle applies to
brushing your teeth. It's a hard habit to break, running the water while
brushing, but if you fill a glass with water you can accomplish the same thing
and save up to a gallon of water!
Don't think you can save much water this way?
Plug your sink and let the water run while brushing. I think you'll be shocked
at how quickly the water in the sink will accumulate.
Eating & Drinking
- Use fruit juices, seltzer, canned sodas for some of your fluid intake. Yes,
water is generally better for you so balance your intake needs.
- Use canned vegetables rather than frozen then there is no need to add
additional water for cooking.
- Keep a bottle filled with water inside the refrigerator. You'll enjoy the
cold water and you'll save what you would have sent down the drain while waiting
for the water to cool.
Laundry
- Keep several wet wash clothes or reusable paper towels inside a zip lock bag
in your refrigerator. Use these to wipe down when warm and sweaty.
- Conserve on the amount of laundry you need to do. Don't wash outer clothes
every time you wear them unless they are visibly dirty or sweaty. Put them in a
separate area from your unworn clothes and use them again before adding to the
wash.
- Dry towels outdoors, when possible, and use them several times before
washing.
- Don't do small loads of laundry - wait till you can fill the washer.
Other
- And finally, don't ask for water in restaurants unless you will drink it.
Don't feel funny about asking for a small glass if that is all you want!
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I hope you'll all jump into a discussion of how you save water and
I'll add your best tips to this article. This is a great time to share your
extensive RVing knowledge. Thanks, and till next time - keep on rolling!
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