AP Photo/U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class D. Keith Simmons
DCL
This may be one of the more extreme tests in one's dedication to conservation. It's certainly not for everyone. In fact, some may say that it downright sucks. Consider this though: the average shower taken with a conventional showerhead wastes a whopping 60 gallons of water. And yes, there are solutions out there that can bring that number down, like getting a low flow showerhead (some go for as low as $50). But there's one quick way you can shave 57 gallons off your water waste, without buying anything.
It's just that it's a little hardcore.
I'm talking about Navy Showers, of course?the renowned tradition first pioneered by Navy men to preserve water rations onboard sea faring vessels. Each navy shower takes only an estimated 3 gallons of water. But it's sure as hell not a comfortable way to shower. Here's how you do it:
1. Get in the shower.
2. Turn on the water.
3. Get yourself wet.
4. Turn off the water.
5. Lather up.
6. Rinse off.
7. Save 57 gallons of a resource that's growing more and more scarce as days go on.
That's about it—simple stuff. But it's worth really considering?if you can wean yourself off the luxury of long showers you'll be lowering your water bill too; seeing as how 21% of household water use comes from the shower.
Go ahead. Give it a try. Grow a pair.
