So we’re looking to April and have decided on April’s challenge:
We’re installing a water meter
This is something we talk about vaguely every now and again but have never done anything about. I think the main reason is that I’ve never really liked the idea of being careful about the water I use.
It does fit the conditions of the pledge: It is a permanent change and we can measure what we save.
The plan is to have the meter installed, hopefully in early April.
We will not change our use of water for a while. We’ll take readings every week or so and make a chart and a graph (I LOVE a chart and a graph) of what we use.
When we’re ready we’ll try cutting down on what we use so that we can compare with the first set of readings. I’m not sure it will be very easy as we’re not wasteful as it is. We have four waterbutts in the garden, we try not to overfill the kettle, we never have baths* and we use waste water (eg when we bring our refillable bottle home) to water the houseplants. But that’s to worry about later.
If you’re interested in finding out about a water meter (especially useful if there’s only one or two of you in the house) check out your local water supplier. In Bristol that’s Bristol Water and the link is here.
I am a woman of a certain age (not 60 yet!) who lives in Bristol. I’ve lived almost my whole life in Bristol, with a short sojourn in Cornwall in my teens. I am trying to lead my life in an ethical way in all areas and hope to explore what this means.
I have four passions and several interests so I hope I will have plenty to write about. My passions are my family, knitting, cricket and St Peter’s Hospice. My other interests are volunteering, the environment, reading, TV, films & theatre, fundraising, chronic fatigue, mental health and eating. My non-interests are animals, housework, football, rugby and cooking.
I come from a family of four – two sisters and a brother. Our parents dies a few years ago. I am married to my soulmate Colin, an amazing man who tolerates my funny ways and supports me in everything I do. We have three children and two wonderful granddaughters. I am so proud of my family – we must have done something right as they are all good people. I have two sons-in-law who I love like my own and together we all make up a family unit where everyone loves and respects everyone else.
I am a total hypochondriac but do have some genuine problems, some of which I may talk about at a later date. At the moment I am overweight and have just started to eat more healthily, which I think is the answer to weight loss. We were on holiday last week and enjoyed puddings and cakes every day.
I work part-time and Colin is recently retired. This means that we have been able to spend much more time together doing some of the things we’ve been meaning to do – some planned and some spontaneous. I love this period of my life – I just wish I had the energy to match the time and the opportunities available!
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2 thoughts on “The Challenge for April”
I had a water meter fitted 3 years ago when I became a sole householder and my bill halved. I also have water butts and shower rather than bath. I wish I’d done it sooner!
Ethical Knitting Nana 
I had a water meter fitted 3 years ago when I became a sole householder and my bill halved. I also have water butts and shower rather than bath. I wish I’d done it sooner!
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Thank you! Do you find that you restrict how much you use or have you carried on as before?
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