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e @ 3. USE A CLEAN DETERGENT Over half the phosphates in OUT klkes and streams come fram detergents. BACKGROUND. Phosphates, chemical compounds con- taining phosphorus. are found in most detergents. Manu- facturers use them because they soften water and prevent ,1111 particles from being redeposited on clothes. Unfortunately, there are severe ecological side-effects: As phos- I,hales empty into streams and lakes, they cause "algae bloom"- I".. they fertilize algae to the point where it grows out of control. Wh..-n the algae dies (in its natural cycle), the bacteria that cause it h' ,!ecay-a process requiring huge amounts of oxygen--use up the ,'X\'gen needed by other plants and marine life to survive. The re- ,\lit: Lakes and streams can die. PETERGENT DATA . y"U may be using a high-phosphate detergent without realizing ;t look on the side of your detergent box. It will list the amount of ,-h..\Sphorus "in the form of phosphates." But that's not the phos- ~-hat(' content; to get the actual amount, multiply the percentage of ~-h,\Sphorus by 3. For example: 8% phosphorus = 24% phosphates. . l'hl.)Sphates aren't necessary. Many powdered detergents are made '" tth different formulas-less that 0.5% phosphates for areas where ,,'l.,\Sphate use is regulated, and higher percentages where it isn't. :,L\tPLE THINGS TO DO . Use a little less detergent. According to Consumer Reports maga- :11'.... manufacturers recommend more detergent than necessary. . Use a low-phosphate, or phosphate-free detergent. Liquid de- :.:r~ents are generally phosphate-free. . Us< a substitute. If your water is soft, soap powder will work as ...d1 d>' a detergent. If your Water is hard, you can try a combination ." ",-'ap and washing soda. But don't try it until you get more $c3.ils. Send a SASE to: The Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo -\s':., Berkeley, CA 94702. Ask for their detergent fact sheet. \.. 22 :n th" U.S.. about 70% of aU metal is used just oncemand is then discarded. e @ 4. AERATE YOUR FAUCETS According to stats in Home Energy magazine, we would save (XIer 250 million gallons of water every day if etlery American home installed faucet aerators BACKGROUND. There's a simple device you can attach to the water faucets in your home that will save an amazing amount of water. It's called a "low-flow faucet aerator." FAUCET FACTS · The normal faucet flow is about 3-5 gallons of water per minute (gpm). By attaching a low-flow faucet aerator, you can reduce the flow by 50%. Incredibly, although the flow is reduced, it will seem stronger because air is mixed into the water as it leaves the tap. · Installing low-flow aerators on kitchen and bathroom sink fau- cets will save hot water. It will also cut water use by as much as 280 gallons per month for a typical family of 4. That's over 3300 gallons a year for one family....SO if only 10,000 4-member families install low-flow aerators, we'll still save over 33 million gallons a year. · Don't confuse low-flow faucet aerators with standard screen aera- tors (which do not reduce faucet flow rate). Ask your store clerk if you're unsure. SIMPLE THINGS TO DO Installing an aerator is easy--even if you're all thumbs. The ends of most modern faucets unscrew; and that's where the aerator attaches. If you have questions, ask a plumber or local hardware store. They'll help you. · Portable Dishwasher Alert: If you use a portable dishwasher in your kitchen, don't install a low-flow aerator on the kitchen sink faucet; the reduced flow will affect the dishwasher's performance. SOURCES Low-flow faucet aerators sell for less than $4 at hardware and plumbing stores everywhere. 23 99.5% of all the .fresh water on Eanb ia in icecaps and glaciera.