8/28/13

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, approximately 15 percent of Americans rely on private drinking water wells as their source of water at home. While public water is routinely tested and regulated for safety, private water is often not. If you use a private well, have your water tested for coliform bacteria and nitrates by a private water-testing lab. It will cost about $10 to $20 and will give you peace of mind. You can learn more and get a list of certification officers in your state at water.epa.gov.

8/27/13

Many beachfront vacation destinations are home to delicate habitats, including nesting grounds for endangered sea turtles. Sea turtle hatchlings use the light and reflections from the moon to find their way to the water at night, but artificial light from hotel rooms can cause confusion for them, forcing them to crawl inland instead of into the ocean. Plus, lights from fixtures reflecting onto the beach discourage adult female turtles from nesting on the shore. One easy way to help is to make sure your drapes and blinds in your hotel room are fully closed to block all light from reaching the beach. This will help keep the natural cycle intact and protect sea turtles.

8/26/13

One way to conserve water when taking care of your lawn is to turn on the hose early in the morning or at night, when the sun's rays are not at their hottest and won't evaporate the water droplets. But one other consideration to keep in mind before turning on the sprinklers is whether it's windy outside. A windy day can disperse water away from the intended target and onto areas that don't need watering, like driveways, sidewalks and the sides of your house. Wind can also speed up evaporation, causing inefficient watering.