The Stream, July 4: Largest Household Survey Ever Reveals Huge Water Waste

Water Use
Britain could save $US 328.22 million each year by cutting one minute from shower times, The Guardian reported from a recent Energy Saving Trust survey. “When people think of energy use they think of heating and lighting…It’s all too easy to turn on the tap and not think about the…environmental and energy cost attached to water,” said Andrew Tucker, water strategy manager.

In order to avoid the severe reserve shortages of previous years, Denton County in Texas has begun asking residents to follow voluntary restrictions on water use, the Denton Record-Chronicle reported. While predictions indicate a 40% to 50% chance of higher temperatures than last year, county officials hope that early action can prevent mandatory restrictions in later summer months.

Activism
First Nations activists opened their nine-week “Water Wednesdays” movement with a traditional indigenous ceremony yesterday, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported. The movement will use art to raise awareness about water, with an emphasis on protection.

Water Levels
Israel Chemicals will spend $US 1 billion removing its deposited salts from the Dead Sea, which has been threatened by mineral extraction processes that deplete its sea levels, Bloomberg News reported. The company has created a new division to remove 20 million tons of salt each year, starting in 2015.