Q: 25 years ago, people were driving El Caminos and had just started to think about recycling! What was it that inspired you to start a career in sustainability consulting?

Michael Laurie: Haha. Yes, I don’t think many people have been thinking about sustainability for more than 5 years. I was inspired when I read Walden and some of the environmental books that came out around the first Earth Day in 1970. I just knew that it was something I wanted to be involved in.

Q: What are you currently working on?

ML: I am currently carrying out commercial and industrial water audits in Bellingham, commercial irrigation audits around Puget Sound, and performing individual energy audits for home owners. I am also teaching in a program that trains people in sustainable building. Some of the topics include: rainwater collection system designs, and integrated water conservation systems. So, yes, I stay very busy!

Q: What do you think is the number one easiest water conservation measure people are overlooking?

ML: I think this depends on the home. However, leaks are probably the easiest to fix and yet the most overlooked problem. Look at your water meter, if it is spinning and all of your appliances are turned off, you probably have a leak. Outside, I think most people over-water their landscape.

Q: If you could get every household in America to implement one thing to save water or energy what would it be?  What do you think is deterring them from already doing it?

ML: Actually, can I break the rules here and offer two things? I think the first thing I would recommend is to replace your old toilet with a good quality high-efficiency toilet. I want to emphasize good quality. If you buy a high-efficiency toilet, but you have to flush it multiple times, it defeats the purpose. However, the new high quality low-flow toilets work very well.

My second suggestion is to seal up the air leakage in your home. The first important step is to find where the leaks are. You probably have to hire someone to perform a blower door test, which can be kind of expensive. However, the repair is very low in cost and easy to do. The cost of energy lost to air leaks can be tremendous, especially if you live in a particularly hot or cold climate.

I think in both of these cases, the initial cost is what is holding people up. I don’t think people look at energy or water conservation in a smart economic way. Often times, people expect a fast or relatively high payback or return on their investment. Why should you set an expectation that is so much higher than your other investments? For example, if you invested in the stock market and received a 15% return, you would probably be pretty happy. However, it is common for people to expect a much faster or greater return on the investments they make in conservation related technologies. Why not set your expectation to at least equal to your other investments. Further, why not even set it lower than that, like maybe 10%, due to all of the other benefits conservation brings to our environment.

Q: What do you see as the next big thing in water conservation for the home owner?

ML: I think the big next push will be a cumulative approach combining water and energy conservation. This connection has always existed, but we are just starting to realize its importance. If you put in an energy efficient washing machine, you can easily see how you save energy and water. However, this connection applies to all other water saving devices due to the energy required to purify, transport, and pump the water in your home! Depending on the efficiency of the energy used, saving water also probably means pulling carbon dioxide out of the air as well.

Let us start the conversation where most of us start and end our days, the bathroom.  We have broken down the bathroom into three main topic areas; Showers & Baths, Toilets & Faucets, and Lighting.  You may not be able to incorporate everything depending on budget, but some don’t cost a dime.  Here are some talking points for your next family meeting. 

Cost to check off your list:

$ = FREE

$$ = Less than $100

$$$ = More than $100

SHOWERS & BATHS

• Shorter Showers $ – Running hot water uses energy to get the water to you, to run the hot water heater, and to then treat the water after use.  Try to take shorter showers to reduce your water and energy usage. 
• Flow Restrictive Shower Heads $$ – They use substantially less water, and therefore energy.  They really have come a long way with the feel of these, plus they are easy enough to install on the weekend. 
• Shower Over Baths $ – Depending on the cubic space of your bathtub you will use more gallons to fill up the tub then you would to take a shower.  This is especially true if the shower is equipped with a flow restrictive shower head. 

TOILET & FAUCETS

• Turn Off Water While Brushing Your Teeth $ – This one should be pretty self explanatory.  When you don’t need water on, turn it off.  This is a task that does not require hot water so leave the warm water off, cold uses less energy.
• Look For Leaks $$ – Water loss from leaks add up over time.  Fix the seals as soon as possible.  There are many resources to fix the leak yourself if you are comfortable with DIY projects.  Take a look at Expert Village’s video, or the City of San Jose’s site  for a printable repair guide.  I did a little experiment with a measuring cup and a faucet with a steady drip.  In the 10 minutes of testing it leaked 1 cup.  That equates to 9 gallons a day of wasted water.  That is just one day!  I will be reusing the water from this experiment; it will not be wasted in vain.  
• More Efficient Bathroom Fixtures $$-$$$ – There are water saving bathroom faucets and toilets including dual flush , if that fixture just needs to be replaced.  

LIGHTING

• Turn Lights Off $ – Remember to switch off the lights when you leave the room.  Don’t forget the fan too.  If you have a window by the shower try to go lights out for a natural lighting experience, it doesn’t cost a thing.  Your family can’t remember to turn off the lights?  Then start a family change jar.  Every time you forget to turn out the lights you owe the family jar $0.25.  Believe me; you will all get the hang of it quickly.  If not, you will all have a nice family night out.
• Switch Out Lamps For CFLs $$ – It is time to jump on the band wagon with these, folks.  When incandescent lamps burn out give CFLs a try.  They pay for themselves quickly with lengthy lifespans and efficient energy usage.  They do contain small amounts of mercury and require special recycling.  Here is a great post from Lighter Footstep to see how to dispose of the retired CFLs properly.

If you have any ideas of your own we would be thrilled to see them!  Please join the discussion by dropping us a line, or leaving a comment below.