Hawai'i AgriTourism Association

Innovate * Educate * Perpetuate

Water

Water

The Wonderful World of Water is definitely here in Hawaii but the reality is- it won’t be for long. Contrary to popular belief, water is not infinite. We should learn to be careful not to use too much and adjust our daily practices to included water conservation. Since our freshwater supply isn’t unlimited, protecting the quality of our current reserves is very important.

Water Wonders:

  • Indoors, the 3 biggest water consumers are the toilet, the shower, and the washing machine.
  • On leeward sides of the islands, half of the residential water is consumed by landscaping.
  • Most residents in Hawaii get their drinking, bathing, car washing and yard irrigating water from a ground supply called an aquifer.
  • Maui County recycles 4 million gallons of treated water daily.
  • O’ahu can recycle up to 12 million gallons each day.

Water $aving$

  1. Shower Smart. If possible, turn off the tap when not in use. Lever controls are best for this type of conservation. Just 2 minutes with the faucet off saves 10 gallons of water.
  2. Rig up a gray-water catchment to put runoff water back into your plumbing for toilet flushing and outdoor use.
  3. Check for leaks in all plumbing. Replace old fixtures with new low flow models.
  4. Swap your top-loading washer for a front-loading washer, which uses 1/3 to ½ less the amount of water that top loaders do, and save electricity too.
  5. Water your lawn just 2 or 3 times each week, always before the sun rises or after it sets.
  6. Put a nozzle on the garden hose to stop leaks.For more water saving solutions, visit hawaiisenergyfuture.com.

Protect our Ocean Waters:

To control run off and erosion:

  1. Use more plants and less pavement.
  2. Divert run off from pavement and roof drains onto grass or other vegetation.
  3. Don’t over water. Use drip irrigation.

To minimize nutrient build-up:

  1. Use less fertilizer. Choose slow release fertilizer and apply it conservatively.
  2. Use phosphate-free biodegradable soaps and detergents.
  3. Use bathrooms on shore before going out in a boat. Boaters use the sewage pump out stations or discharge marine sanitation devices in deep water.

To control Bacteria and viruses:

  1. Never put grease down the drain. It’s the # cause of raw sewage spills.
  2. Pick up animal feces and put in trash or toilet.
  3. Keep garbage dumpsters covered.

To control toxic chemicals:

  1. Tolerate more bugs and use fewer pesticides. Use, store, and dispose of pesticides according to instructions on the label.
  2. Recycle used motor oil and car batteries.
  3. Learn about safe alternatives to household hazardous chemicals.
  4. Dispose of household wastes properly. Never put oil, paint, or anti-freeze down a storm drain.

To control marine debris:

  1. Recycle glass, plastic, cardboard, aluminum cans and tires.
  2. Buy products made from recycled materials.
  3. Select products with minimal packaging and reusable containers.

To conserve water and energy:

  1. Repair leaks and install water-saving showerheads and toilet flappers.
  2. Learn about xeriscaping (landscaping to conserve water use).

To preserve the reef:

  1. Use permanent day use moorings where available. Otherwise, anchor in sand or rubble.
  2. Don’t feed the fish.
  3. Avoid touching and walking over live corals.

To take action:

  1. Adopt and clean up a beach, reef, or stream.
  2. Teach awareness to children, family and friends.
  3. Volunteer to monitor beaches and coastal waters.

Truths and Trends:

Aquaculture- Aquaculture is the farming of plants and animals in water. For more information, visit http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/adp.

Aquaponics- Aquaponics is the combination of recirculation aquaculture and hydroponics. For more information, visit www.aquaponics.com.

Alternative Energy- Wave Energy is what occurs when Wind propels waves, which can be harnessed to create electricity. For more information, visit http://hawaiisenergyfuture.com/Articles/Wave_Energy.html.