science fair project, water conservation

[chelseaandrachel]

Hello,

We are conducting an experimental research project that involves helping the environment. Our topic is the following: How much water does a common household waste daily, and how can we reduce this amount? We would appreciate if you could provide us with background information because we are having complications with the research. Thank you for putting in time to answer this question.

Chelsea and Rachel

[deleted-71417]

Hi,

You can find lots of good information by searching www.google.com for “how to conserve water”.
Here are some example sites:

http://www.americanwater.com/49ways.htm

http://www.gem.msu.edu/pubs/msue/wq16p1.html

http://www.monolake.org/about/waterconservation

And many, many more.

[deleted-71447]

Indeed, there are many ways to conserve. You might consider choosing one particular method of conservation to make your task more manageable. For example, try a search for "gray water recycling".
Good luck!
Chris

[chelseaandrachel]

Hello,

Thank you for providing us with websites to help with our research. After looking at what you gave us, we realized that we had to reevaluate our topic. The question that we came up with is the following: How can water be conserved in a common household, and why is this so important? In our project, we will be doing the following experiments- First, we will find out how much water is used when people brush their teeth and leave the sink on, wash the dishes, and take a shower. Then, we will be seeing how we can reduce the amount wasted. Also, we will buy water-saving devices at the local hardware store and see which product is the most efficient. Can any other experiments be conducted in a house and if so, what are they? Do you think the topic is still too broad?

Thank you for all you help,
Chelsea and Rachel

[chelseaandrachel]

Hello,

We are supposed to do a research project on the environment. The question that we came up with is the following: How can water be conserved in a common household, and why is this so important? In our project, we will be doing the following experiments- First, we will find out how much water is used when people brush their teeth and leave the sink on, wash the dishes, wash their hands, and take a shower. Then, we will be seeing how we can reduce the amount wasted. Also, we will buy water-saving devices at the local hardware store and see which product is the most efficient. Can any other experiments be conducted in a house and if so, what are they? Do you think the topic is too broad?

Thank you for all your help,
Chelsea and Rachel

[deleted-71447]

Hi Chelsae and Rachel,
Sorry it has taken a while to get back to you. I merged your new topic with your old one so that the Experts can follow the progress of your project. Please add your future posts in this topic.
Your study sounds very interesting and relevant to issues of water conservation. The question and scope of work do sound fairly broad. I still recommend that you choose one particular method of conservation, research that topic, and then design a simple experiment to better understand how that method of conservation works. If that is confusing to you, then I can explain further.

You can do the broader topic, but I expect it will need to be more of a data/information review exercise rather than a scientific experiment. For more information about what makes a project "scientific", I recommend reading this review of the scientific method:
http://www.sciencebuddies.com/science-f ... thod.shtml

I hope that helps,
Chris