Saving Water

The discussion that has ensued with our friends since my post on farming rain has focused on limiting water use in the house. We discussed an idea I had thrown out there before we moved overseas to use the water that fills the toilet tank for washing hands. After debating the pros and cons (who wants to have to clean soap scum from the inside of their toilet tank?), and arguing the logistics (how do you get the drain water from your sink to flow up into the tank without a pump?) a friend sent me a link – looks like I’m behind the 8-ball on this one. The Toilet-Lid Sink does almost everything our logistically challenged idea did. I called the company, and it can be purchased and shipped to Canada for just over $100. However, it does have a couple flaws I can see: first off, it can’t be a replacement for a sink, as it only runs immediately after the toilet is flushed. If you wanted to brush your teeth in it, you’d have to flush in order to get rinse water!  Secondly, it runs cold water only. Not exactly ideal for fending off bacteria. Like I said – your old sink must stay even if you do buy this one. But, it’s a start – Gaiam is on the right track. They also have an adapter for your toilet tank that lets you have a 4.1L flush for “yellow” and a 6L flush for “brown.” Last time I checked, the toilet designed to do this is over $300 at Home Depot. This would enable you not to have to buy a new toilet in order to save water. (Amazing how much we have to buy new in order to conserve – ironic, isn’t it?) But, it is nice to see some companies realizing that we don’t have infinite resources, and that we already consume way more than our fair share of what we do have.

Now, another challenge for those of you in the blogosphere – is there an easy way to catch dish drain water and use it to water a garden? It’s full of nutrients. So far, all I can imagine is a diverter on the drain under my sink, and a pipe out the side of my house into a rain barrel, but there’s got to be a better way…

Farming Rain

Sorry, this post has moved to my new blog — http://handymansdream.blogspot.com/2008/08/farming-rain.html — check it out there, please.

Thesis

Like many of my colleagues, I’m working on a Masters of Education. For mine, I chose to focus on Curriculum and Instruction, and I chose to write a thesis. Most people I know don’t go the thesis route – instead, they take 10 courses, and get the good ole M.Ed. (and the $2000 a year pay raise that goes along with it.) I have taken three classes so far, and have two more to finish. After that, thesis time. However, I am working on my thesis right now. I collected data on the project we did last year, and spent the last few months (part time) and the last few days (full-time) reviewing literature relating to project-based learning, “at-risk” youth (the youth that are called urban youth if you read American research, inner-city youth if Canadian) and case study methodology. Needless to say, the good times have been rolling for some time, now. However, today I finished draft #1 of my summary. 55 pages of APA-style glory. The reading has been really interesting – this is why I didn’t do the course route – I can’t imagine spending (wasting?) time doing research that doesn’t directly relate to something I’m doing. Perhaps this is a comment on my lack of abstract thinking ability. Either way, the process thus far has been great. And time consuming these last few days. However, with the draft on ice until the 16th (when I get back from the social justice summer camp I work at) I am feeling rather accomplished and relaxed. Now, to install the new Energy Star front and rear doors…