Using a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and patio is greener than the water hose
by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
An outdoor hose can use between 20-30 gallons, that is 80-120 liters, of water per minute. A broom can often can often clean a driveway, sidewalk or patio just as well as a hose. Let's say it it takes you generally 10-20 minutes to clean your driveway using a hose, you can save several hundred gallons of water each time by not using one. If you pay for your water by metered amount then your saving will soon add up.
In addition, by not using a hose but a broom, you reduce storm water runoff which, combined with chemicals on your driveway, impacts on water quality. Oil leaking from cars is a major cause of water pollution, and that, as well as spilled or leaked antifreeze can get into the storm drains and watercourses by use of a hose to clean your drive. Antifreeze kills fish when it reaches streams. Remember, most of the water from your driveway and sidewalk flows directly into streams without treatment and thus any stuff that you wash down from your drive or sidewalk will end up straight in streams and rivers.
Using less water allows more water to stay in the ground or in a surface reservoir which helps to maintain a natural water balance, preserve wildlife and saves water for future use. There are many parts of our respective countries that do not have enough water to support the current population and levels of water usage.
Avoid the temptation of the water hose and the nozzle and grab a broom instead. Using a broom has also got the added benefit of giving you some great exercise, especially to the cardiovascular system, allowing you to skip gym membership.
In fact if, in addition to sweeping your drive and sidewalk with a broom instead of washing it down with a pressure hose, you cycle and walk to the stores, for instance, instead of using the car, then you really can forget about gym membership altogether as you'll get all the exercise you need. A total win – win situation.
Be good to the environment and good to yourself too.
© 2011
