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Water Time(d)

Count how long you're using water.

Ways to Conserve Water

Saving water is easy. Real easy.

City officials in Nashville are asking people to cut their water usage by one half. The math seems easy, but the call is too abstract. The intentions are great, but the call isn't urgent enough - nor is it easy to understand.

After all, who out there can tell me - right now - how many gallons of water you use each day? Anyone? Of course not. It's not something you normally keep track of. You never needed to. It was never a concern. You could easily tell me what you spent at Starbucks yesterday or how often you fill your gas tank. But no one knows how much water they use. How then can you know if you cut your usage by 50%?

Instead, the city needs to be direct on how to use (or not use) water. Don't give me vague numbers. Tell me what to do. If they won't, we will.

• Don't wash your car. Don't.
• Cut off your sprinkler system at home and at work (we're looking at you, Bicentennial Mall).
• Smell your armpits. Do you stink? No? Don't shower. Your friends will still be your friends.
• Don't wash your clothes unless you're out of underwear. Put on jeans and a T shirt and go to work. If your boss gives you crap, let him know there is a flood.
• Let the dirty dishes stack up. No one will judge you.
• Use and reuse the same drinking glass all day.
• If you must shower, get in and out in four minutes. Set a timer. Be diligent.
• Don't shave. Armpits, legs, face, back, or knuckles.
• Your dog? He can also go without a bath for a few days.
• It's time to use a bucket. Any time you turn the faucet on, catch the water and use it to wash what needs washing. Don't toss it out or just let it run down the drain.
• Don't use a hose to clean off debris and dirt from your sidewalk. Let it dry and use a broom. If you're unfamiliar with what a broom is, click here.
• You don't have to flush your toilet every time you use it. We'll let you be the judge on how often you flush. Just see what happens if you let it mellow for a bit.

Chances are, if you do the above, you'll cut your usage by more than half. But who's counting?

Got ideas? Hit us up at @coolpeoplecare on Twitter.

Also:

• More ways to help
• Donate to flood relief
• Sign up to volunteer