Water Conservation
Why Water?
- While water may seem abundant, fresh water usable for human consumption is limited
- About 97.5% of Earth's water resides in the oceans and is too salty for human consumption, whereas only 2.5% is considered fresh water
- Since most fresh water is tied up in glaciers, icecaps, and underground aquifers, only a small percentage is usable for human consumption
Hypothesis:
Washing a load of dishes by hand uses more water than washing a load of dishes using a dishwasher.
- Unfortunately, Earth's water supply is depleting at unsustainable rates as human demand and consumption for fresh water rises
Testable Predictions:
- If washing a load of dishes by hand uses more water than washing a load of dishes using a dishwasher, then the difference between the first and second recorded numbers from the water meter will be higher than the difference between the second and third.
- If washing a load of dishes by hand uses less water than washing a load of dishes using a dishwasher, then the difference between the first and second recorded numbers from the water meter will be lower than the difference between the second and third.
- Fresh water depletion may lead to shortages, and resource scarcity may then lead to conflict
- Increased water consumption may damage ecological as well as social interactions
- Strategies such as water conservation protect water from pollution as well as reduce water consumption for a sustainable future
Handwashing vs. Dishwasher
1
Dirty dishes were placed in a dishwasher until the dishwasher was full
52409.07 cubic feet
52405.00 cubic feet
—
2
The number displayed on the water meter was recorded
52405.00 cubic feet
The load of dirty dishes was then taken out of the dishwasher and hand washed
4.07
cubic feet
3
After washing the load of dishes by hand, the number on the water meter was recorded
52410.37 cubic feet
4
52409.07 cubic feet
—
52409.07 cubic feet
The same load of dishes was then placed back into the dishwasher and washed once more, this time using the dishwasher
5
Results
1.30
cubic feet
6
After washing the load of dishes using the dishwasher, the number on the water meter was recorded
52410.37 cubic feet
HYPOTHESIS:
4.5
4
washing a load of dishes by hand uses more water than washing a load of dishes using a dishwasher
3.5
4.07
3
RESULTS:
2.5
cubic feet
handwashing used 4.07 cubic feet of water
2
dishwasher used 1.30 cubic feet of water
1.5
Handwashing
1
1.30
0.5
SUPPORT
0
Dishwasher