Turn Off the Faucet Commercial

[Minniesgal]

It is about not being wasteful with precious resources. It doesn't matter ow plentiful your water supply is water needs treated and water treatment uses energy, energy use creates pollution. It isn't about supply your water to those in need it is about globally reducing energy usage

 

[POPCITY]

It's not a question of how much water is available in your area, it's a question of how much treated water is available. Just because the rivers are full, doesn't mean there is plenty of treated water. In my area, more than 80% of summer water usage is on lawn irrigation, so while we normally have plenty of water for household usage, if everyone decided to water their lawn an extra two or three days per week, we'd run out. The treatment plants just aren't able to produce that much water.

 

[asta]

It's not a question of how much water is available in your area, it's a question of how much treated water is available. Just because the rivers are full, doesn't mean there is plenty of treated water. In my area, more than 80% of summer water usage is on lawn irrigation, so while we normally have plenty of water for household usage, if everyone decided to water their lawn an extra two or three days per week, we'd run out. The treatment plants just aren't able to produce that much water.

That is very true. My water district has invested in the necessary infrastructure and has never ran short of supplying us all of the water we want. The neighboring municipality did not invest enough in facilities and were always restricting water in the summer until they ponied up and improved their water facilities. The shortage was never in just water, they were short of treated water. But me personally restricting my water use would do nothing to help them get more water.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

According to http://www.glencanyon.org/glen_canyon/water-conservation

• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. Those two to three minutes without the sink on can save two to three gallons of water each day. Also, turn the water off while shaving. Instead, fill the bottom of the sink with a few inches of water to rinse your razor. Overall, these two simple adjustments can save you six gallons of water per day – that’s 180 gallons per month!

3 gallons just to brush your teeth per day x 365 days = 1095 gallons.

And I assume that's per person.

But again, it's not like that water just vanishes once it goes down your drain.

Now, TipsyTraveler's point about lessening the water that has to go through treatment plants is a valid one - again, assuming you're on public water.

But "wasted" water isn't really truly "wasted" since it goes back into the environment.

 

[bcla]

But again, it's not like that water just vanishes once it goes down your drain.

Now, TipsyTraveler's point about lessening the water that has to go through treatment plants is a valid one - again, assuming you're on public water.

But "wasted" water isn't really truly "wasted" since it goes back into the environment.

It may be wasting potable water or at least freshwater when sewage drains into saltwater. It may eventually come back as rain, but that's a matter of natural forces where it doesn't really affect how much water comes back as freshwater.

As been mentioned, it's about more than simply water, but other resources to treat/pump, treat sewage, etc. Also around here we have issues with water deliveries affecting the amount of water available to keep fish populations healthy. We'll get issues with increased areas of brackish water as well as the spawning season being affected by low water.

Having gone backpacking and having to survive on as much water as I could treat (via disinfection, filters, and/or boiling) taught me how much water I could live with. If one is forced to live with little it becomes clear how much is wasted in daily life by those who don't have to think about it.

 

[QueenIsabella]

The ad also conveniently puts the "blame" (or, call to action, if you prefer) on the individual consumer. What about industrial water waste? Anyone want to bet that the amount of water Colgate uses on an annual basis is more than the total water usage of everyone on this board? But yet, there they are--running a commercial to tell us how we should cut back on our water usage. Why are they lecturing us instead of working on their own manufacturing process? And before you say, "well, maybe they are--but then, why not say that--we worked to saved 20 billion gallons this year, time for others to pitch in", or some such thing? Corporations LOVE to tell people when they're helping the environment.

 

[aprilgail]

Last month my quarterly water bill made me ill. We use 40-percent less water than we did ten years ago because of HE washing machine and changing out toilets and one daughter away at college. My water bills are up 30-percent over the amount we paid then.

We use less water with the HE washer and new toilet but in the summer my water bill is higher because we water every morning- 6 zones and 22 minutes a zone so over 2 hours a day. A typical water bill is less than 50 a quarter- for the summer i7 goes up to about 150 for that quarter between filling and emptying the hot tub every 2 weeks and watering every day plus more showers.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

But again, it's not like that water just vanishes once it goes down your drain.

Now, TipsyTraveler's point about lessening the water that has to go through treatment plants is a valid one - again, assuming you're on public water.

But "wasted" water isn't really truly "wasted" since it goes back into the environment.

Yeah, I guess that's true.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

The ad also conveniently puts the "blame" (or, call to action, if you prefer) on the individual consumer. What about industrial water waste? Anyone want to bet that the amount of water Colgate uses on an annual basis is more than the total water usage of everyone on this board? But yet, there they are--running a commercial to tell us how we should cut back on our water usage. Why are they lecturing us instead of working on their own manufacturing process? And before you say, "well, maybe they are--but then, why not say that--we worked to saved 20 billion gallons this year, time for others to pitch in", or some such thing? Corporations LOVE to tell people when they're helping the environment.

It isn't an either or.

If you aren't motivated, what they have done to save water wouldn't matter.

But since you asked, there annual report states they are striving to reduce their water and other Engergy usages to help respect the planet. It does say at least one. But it isn't that they are doing nothing but lecturing the customer. (This was their 2011-2015 plan in their 2011 report. I will dig for something more recent.)

http://www.colgate.com/us/en/annual-reports/2011/#Sustainability-Strategy

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

2014 Sustainability report for Colgate/Palmolive. It says they have reduced water usage to produce their products, but not by how much.
http://www.csrwire.com/press_releas...ress-on-the-Company-s-Sustainability-Strategy

In 2012, they pledged to reduce water consumption by 40%.
http://www.triplepundit.com/2012/03/colgate-palmolive-pledges-reduce-water-consumption-40/

This report says they have reduced their water by 33% as of 2013. (On or about page 11) Water used by consumer when product is disposed is considered one of the areas where water is used hence likely why this campaign to encourage the consumer to not wast water.

Also, Colgate does much to provide potable water in areas that need it.
http://www.colgate.com/Colgate/US/C...Colgate_Sustainability_Report_Planet_2015.pdf

 

[Minnesota!]

Yes, here we pay for X amount per quarter. I'm not sure what the amount of gallons actually is. If we use more we have to pay more. If we use less, we don't pay less or get credited for next quarter. Every year the cost goes up, but I'm not sure if the water amount changes.
There have been times where we have filled half of our 24 foot above ground pool and never went over the water allotment.
Do you just pay for what you use?

We pay for what we use. It averages out to be about $40/month....we pay quarterly.

We were taught from VERY young to turn off the water when you are brushing, shave in the sink with just a little bit of water plugged in it, and to only water the grass in the evening.

 

[maxiesmom]

We had a bit of a drought a few summers back. The water table is so high here that when they build they have to also build water containment ponds. Those all dried up. No water for the ducks or geese or turtles. It was very creepy. I had never before prayed for it to rain, but I did that summer. It truly felt like a blessing when we finally got enough rain to fill in the ponds and ditches.

There is no way I could be so wasteful as to let water roll needlessly down the drain. It is plentiful until it is gone. And it can go away very quickly.

 

[Diznygrl]

Obviously living in California, this is a sore subject for me. I have to admit that when I hear about/see people taking water for granted and using it like it's nothing, no matter where you live, it does irritate me. At this point it's just been wired into me.

But aside from that, I N-E-V-E-R understood why anyone would have to leave the faucet running while they brush their teeth. I never did it even before the drought and I certainly don't do it now. But, seriously...why? WHY?!? It's literally just letting water run down the drain completely unused and for NO reason for 2-3 minutes straight. Is it really that laborious to turn the freaking faucet handle a couple extra times.

 

[asta]

Obviously living in California, this is a sore subject for me. I have to admit that when I hear about/see people taking water for granted and using it like it's nothing, no matter where you live, it does irritate me. At this point it's just been wired into me.

But aside from that, I N-E-V-E-R understood why anyone would have to leave the faucet running while they brush their teeth. I never did it even before the drought and I certainly don't do it now. But, seriously...why? WHY?!? It's literally just letting water run down the drain completely unused and for NO reason for 2-3 minutes straight. Is it really that laborious to turn the freaking faucet handle a couple extra times.

I know it may seem irritating to you but water is so plentiful here that it does not enter our consciousness to not use it freely. I can't apologize because I don't see how my use affects you but I can explain why one might leave the water running. It keeps the basin cleaner to spit into running water. The spit and paste clings to the sides and bottom of the basin if you spit into a dry sink. Kind of the same reason why toilets have water in them.

If water were in short supply I can see the need to do without water running in the sink but conditions are just different here. I do feel sorry for the drought you are living in but we can't send our rain or rivers to you.

 

[QueenIsabella]

2014 Sustainability report for Colgate/Palmolive. It says they have reduced water usage to produce their products, but not by how much.
http://www.csrwire.com/press_releas...ress-on-the-Company-s-Sustainability-Strategy

In 2012, they pledged to reduce water consumption by 40%.
http://www.triplepundit.com/2012/03/colgate-palmolive-pledges-reduce-water-consumption-40/

This report says they have reduced their water by 33% as of 2013. (On or about page 11) Water used by consumer when product is disposed is considered one of the areas where water is used hence likely why this campaign to encourage the consumer to not wast water.

Also, Colgate does much to provide potable water in areas that need it.
http://www.colgate.com/Colgate/US/C...Colgate_Sustainability_Report_Planet_2015.pdf

That's all fine, but it doesn't give them the right to lecture me about my water use. If you choose to brush "dry", good for you. If you choose to bike to work, or air-dry laundry, or turn down your thermostat to save energy--again, good for you. It doesn't mean I should be guilted into making the same choices you do. I don't believe for a second that I let 3 gallons of water go down the drain when I brush my teeth (where does that number even come from? It seems ridiculously high, unless you have the water pouring out.)

Now, one thing I've noticed in our neighborhood is, everyone has lawn irrigation systems. Including us, but ours has been broken since we moved in. They are all on timers, so the lawns get watered every morning, even if it's pouring rain out. We even have one neighbor whose system is clearly broken, that just pours water into the street every single day. Why they don't turn off their system until it's fixed is beyond me, but there you have it. Any given lawn system uses more water in a day than I could possibly brush with in a year. But, so what? Not my lawn, not my water bill, not my job to pester the neighbors about their choices.

 

[asta]

That's all fine, but it doesn't give them the right to lecture me about my water use. If you choose to brush "dry", good for you. If you choose to bike to work, or air-dry laundry, or turn down your thermostat to save energy--again, good for you. It doesn't mean I should be guilted into making the same choices you do. I don't believe for a second that I let 3 gallons of water go down the drain when I brush my teeth (where does that number even come from? It seems ridiculously high, unless you have the water pouring out.)

Now, one thing I've noticed in our neighborhood is, everyone has lawn irrigation systems. Including us, but ours has been broken since we moved in. They are all on timers, so the lawns get watered every morning, even if it's pouring rain out. We even have one neighbor whose system is clearly broken, that just pours water into the street every single day. Why they don't turn off their system until it's fixed is beyond me, but there you have it. Any given lawn system uses more water in a day than I could possibly brush with in a year. But, so what? Not my lawn, not my water bill, not my job to pester the neighbors about their choices.

Our irrigation system has a device that detects rain and shuts the system off if it is raining. At least we don't water while it is raining.

 

[Shanti]

I just watched a commercial about how many people in the world need drinkable water while showing someone letting water run while brushing their teeth. The commercial asks you to turn your faucet off. My question is how does turning off the faucet here help with water needs in other parts of the world. I totally get the need to restrict water usage in an area that is under drought conditions where people share a common water system. But I live in an area that is blessed with plenty of water right now. This is an honest question. I feel like I may be missing something about how the water from my utility system in Tennessee goes to Africa (or some other place) if I use less. What am I missing?

Water is a precious commodity, as those of us who have lived through severe droughts (as we have here in Texas) know. A few years ago I was part of a volunteer crew that shoveled away debris from local homes that were leveled by a major forest fire, caused by drought conditions. Water shortage is not as much of a far-away or abstract problem as some sheltered people think.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

That's all fine, but it doesn't give them the right to lecture me about my water use. If you choose to brush "dry", good for you. If you choose to bike to work, or air-dry laundry, or turn down your thermostat to save energy--again, good for you. It doesn't mean I should be guilted into making the same choices you do. I don't believe for a second that I let 3 gallons of water go down the drain when I brush my teeth (where does that number even come from? It seems ridiculously high, unless you have the water pouring out.)

Now, one thing I've noticed in our neighborhood is, everyone has lawn irrigation systems. Including us, but ours has been broken since we moved in. They are all on timers, so the lawns get watered every morning, even if it's pouring rain out. We even have one neighbor whose system is clearly broken, that just pours water into the street every single day. Why they don't turn off their system until it's fixed is beyond me, but there you have it. Any given lawn system uses more water in a day than I could possibly brush with in a year. But, so what? Not my lawn, not my water bill, not my job to pester the neighbors about their choices.

I don't see it as a lecture. But to each their own.

The gallons has to do with flow rate and length of time the faucet runs. Teeth are supposed to be brushed for 2 minutes. It seems about 1-2 gallons per minute is the flow rate being used for calculating.

The idea is small changes. It's simply a PSA. Not a mandate. And you questioned them and their practices. So I provided you the information.

If you can justify your usage, so be it.

As for the neighbor, I wouldn't lecture them--but I would be courteous and let them know. They may not be aware they have a busted sprinkler head.

 

[sonnyjane]

I know it may seem irritating to you but water is so plentiful here that it does not enter our consciousness to not use it freely. I can't apologize because I don't see how my use affects you but I can explain why one might leave the water running. It keeps the basin cleaner to spit into running water. The spit and paste clings to the sides and bottom of the basin if you spit into a dry sink. Kind of the same reason why toilets have water in them.

If water were in short supply I can see the need to do without water running in the sink but conditions are just different here. I do feel sorry for the drought you are living in but we can't send our rain or rivers to you.

I'm in the "infuriated" camp reading this thread about people that don't care! Potable water doesn't just exist in constant supply. Just because you live in a place with lots of rain or lots of rivers doesn't mean that clean, drinkable water flows into your home without cost. Electricity is used to treat that water and transport that water to and from your home. Water isn't the only resource you waste when you just let that faucet run.

 

[mnrose]

Fresh, potable water is a gift. And someday, will be as precious as gold. Having lived through drought conditions in different parts of the US, I don't take it for granted. We use water conservatively. Have for decades. I know of no other way to be.

Anyone gleeful about abundant water supplies may find themselves singing a different tune the first time they face a drought. Probably good training to start practicing now.