Posts Tagged ‘the story of stuff’

Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink

  Posted By:  Amanda Gillen

CB055213As you well know, we’re in the business of the sun but let me wax poetic for a moment about water. Specifically where your water comes from. I recently spent a few gorgeous days in the Florida Keys. They are paradise with great food, lots of activities, incredible sunsets, white sandy beaches and ocean side pools. They also have thousands of tourists visit each month whom in addition to relaxing with a good book by the pool also shower, drink water and use the toilet. I found out when I was there that the potable water for Key West is pumped in from over 100 miles away on the Florida mainland. (In defense of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, they have a couple of seawater desalination plants which produce freshwater from ocean saltwater- impressive technology.) So needless to say water conservation is a big issue and bottled water is a big industry. But is it sustainable? We talk about peak oil but what about peak water?

 

So, where is this long-winded post going? It’s a message to be conscious of where your water comes from and what you do with it. The city of Concord, MA recently banned the sale of bottled water in their town. The bottled water industry ($10 billion dollars) is obviously not very happy about this but why do they have to tell me that my tap water isn’t good enough? We at groSolar recently took the No Disposable Water Bottle Pledge to not purchase disposable water bottles. A number of employees also harvest rainwater to use for plants and gardens. Can you commit to not purchasing disposable water bottles? Help the environment and save yourself some money!

 

And check out The Story of Bottled Water, from the people who brought you The Story of Stuff.