It is always good to save water, but especially now when we're in the middle of a severe drought. To help you and your congregation focus on and conserve this precious, life-giving resource, we've compiled some ideas, organized into four categories: Stewardship, Worship, Instruction & Mission (SWIM). If you have other resources or ideas to share, please let us know!
Stewardship
- Fix leaky faucets, pipes, and toilets (they can waste 20 to 200 gallons of water each day!).
- Install low-flow faucets, toilets, and showerheads.
- Install motion-activated water faucets on sinks.
- Use native and drought-tolerant grasses and plants. These require less watering and maintenance. (Lawns use up to 20 times more water than native and drought-resistant species.)
- Mulch flowerbeds and gardens to prevent water loss due to evaporation.
- Use drip and soaker hoses.
- Compost.
- Water early in the morning or late in the evening to prevent evaporation.
- Aerate the lawn to save water and improve soil health without chemicals.
- Wash with non-phosphate detergents. Nontoxic, biodegradable, and phosphate-free cleaning agents help to reduce algae growth that suffocates fish and other aquatic life.
- Use car washes that recycle water instead of washing your car at home.
- Install a rainwater collection system.
- Eliminate bottled water.
- Instead of pouring half-filled glasses of water down the drain, collect that water in a pot and use to water plants.
- Keep a plastic bucket in the bathroom to collect the water that runs as your shower water is heating. Use this water to flush the toilet, water plants, fill the bird bath, etc.
- Use less electricity. Generating electricity requires a lot of water.
Worship
- Preach about water.
- Include water as a focus in the service, and highlight its importance.
- Consider having a water communion service.
Instruction
- Include information about conserving water in educational programs for people of all ages.
- Host a community-wide forum at your congregation. Some possibilities include: invite speakers from the local water utility and other organizations dealing with water issues; provide information to friends and neighbors about conserving water; distribute faucet aerators.
Mission
- Collect donations of faucet aerators and distribute them to local people in need.
- Involve the youth group in making water-efficiency upgrades to the congregation's building and grounds.
- Work with the local utility to get water conservation information out to the public.
- Be involved in public conversations in your area about keeping local water supplies clean and protected for future generations.