I don't have to go down to the village well to get water; I just turn on a tap and clean water pours out.
For too many years we've wasted and polluted our water supply and future generations are now at risk. Water-rich parts of the world are facing the kind of shortages we've only seen in desert areas.
Now we have to be aware of conserving water. Fresh water is not in infinite supply; there are shortages and drought in much of the world. But the number of people in the world doesn't seem to be decreasing. And the plumbing industry is working all the time to design fixtures that are water-efficient and reduce usage.
There are also advances being made in the area of reclaiming fresh water, and grey-water recycling. Grey water is already commonly used to flush toilets and irrigate gardens and landscaping. On a larger scale, it can be used by sustainable communities to irrigate parks and playing fields. It also can be treated and returned to the aquifer to replenish the groundwater supply. The plumbing industry is always working on developing new and improved systems for water reuse.
If we start to reuse water, via grey-water systems, black-water recycling and, especially, by harvesting rainwater and using it for non-potable use in the home, we can reduce our usage dramatically. About 30 per cent of the water used in your home goes to flushing toilets. There is absolutely no need to use clean, fresh drinking water for that purpose. It's wasteful.
We can also reduce our usage of water by switching to more efficient fixtures, such as dual-flush and three-litre toilets, low-flow showerheads and aerated faucets. We can also buy Energy Star-rated appliances, since they use less water and power to operate.
Your plumber is a highly trained professional, whose job is governed by building code and government standards. Take some time this week to recognize the role the plumbing industry plays in your life, and what it does to protect this essential natural resource.
I love my plumber. His skill and expertise is valuable to me on my jobs, and in my life. And plumbing is important to all of us.
World Plumbing Day was March 11, but it's not too late to hug a plumber.
Catch Mike in his new series, Holmes Inspection, airing Thursdays at 8 ET/PT on HGTV. For more information, visit www.hgtv.ca. For more information on home renovations, visit makeitright.ca.
