What’s the first thing you do each morning when you wake up? Whether your answer is making coffee, feeding your pets, or using the bathroom, it wouldn’t be possible without water. Each October, askHRgreen.org participates in Imagine a Day Without Water, a national awareness campaign coordinated by the Value of Water Campaign. Imagine a Day Without Water is about reminding residents just how much we depend on water each day. Water hydrates our bodies, let’s us cook and clean, provides for sanitation of schools and hospitals, and powers much of the economy, especially here in Hampton Roads.
With the help of local breweries and coffee houses, askHRgreen.org will again be distributing themed coasters and coffee sleeves at participating locations on October 23 for Imagine a Day Without Water. Last year more than 15 locations participated in Imagine a Day Without Water and shared the value of water message with their guests. Participating locations will also receive free gift baskets to raffle off to customers in their own unique ways. The campaign is not only an important way to raise awareness about our most precious resource, water. It’s also a great way to support small shops and local businesses here in Hampton Roads. Registration is now open for breweries and coffee shops in Hampton Roads. Sign up now!
“This is a simple way to make a serious point—that we shouldn’t take water for granted,” said Katie Cullipher, askHRgreen.org team leader. “No water? No coffee or beer. But a day without water also means no bathing, brushing your teeth, flushing a commode or filling your dog’s water bowl.”
There’s a lot that goes into making the tap water flow freely from the faucet. There are the people needed to operate and maintain these systems, as well as the often unseen network of pipes and equipment that carry water to and from our homes. Beneath our cities, there is a vast amount of infrastructure — more than 6,500 miles of water distribution pipeline and 5,800 miles of sanitary sewer lines throughout Hampton Roads. These systems, and the people who maintain them, work silently and reliably to keep the water flowing. Because they are out of sight, we often take them for granted, but their proper maintenance is essential.
Check back often as we begin to list our partnering breweries and coffee shops right here! In addition to visiting one of these businesses on Oct. 23 for a water-based beverage of your choice, Hampton Roads residents can show their support year-round by adopting the following good-to-do practices:
- Find and fix leaky faucets and toilets
- Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth
- Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes
- Take shorter showers
- Flush only your personal business down the toilet to avoid backups (no wipes, paper towels, cat litter, hygiene products)
- Keep local waterways clean by:
- Scoop the poop when you walk the dog
- Perform a soil test before applying fertilizer to your yard
- Never feed geese or ducks
- Send only rain down the drain