The Community Church of Chapel Hill Unitarian Universalist
[email protected]
(919) 942-2050
  • HOME
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    • Annual Pledge Drive 2025-2026
    • Stewardship >
      • The Reverend charlie kast Ministerial Development Fund
      • The Endowment Fund: Supporting the Future of Our Congregational Mission >
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        • Building On Our Legacy Capital Fund
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      • Recording of Past Services
      • Wednesday Vespers
      • Sermon Archive Prior to March 2020
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      • Community Church Choir
      • Music Gala 2025
      • CMS
      • CMS Program
      • 2021 Virtual Music Gala
      • 2020 Virtual Music Gala
      • Virtual Worship Music
      • Music Program
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      • Children's Choir
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      • UUkes
      • Instrumentalists
      • Music Team
      • Music Gala
      • Musicals
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      • Choir Sundays
      • Concert Series
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      • Art in the Sanctuary >
        • Upcoming Art Exhibits
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    • Visiting with Children and Youth
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  • Youth & Children
    • About Youth and Children's Ministry At The Community Church >
      • Program Philosophy
      • Helping Children and Youth Connect at Church
      • Parent Expectations
      • Program Leadership
      • Registration and Parent Cooperative >
        • Registration
        • Parent Cooperative Information
        • Parent Cooperative Requirement
    • Ready for RE, a visual guide
    • Children's Program
    • Youth Program >
      • Sunday Programs for youth
      • Bridging
      • Youth Staff Internship Program
      • Sarah Elizabeth Insch Church Youth Leadership Program >
        • Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education
        • Insch Program History
        • Insch Program Description
        • Insch Associates
        • Insch Program Application
      • Coming of Age
    • Chalice Camp 2025
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    • Ongoing Racial Equity Work
    • Racial Justice Ministry
    • Racial Equity Challenges
    • Community Service Ministry >
      • Inter-Faith Council for Social Services (IFC)
      • Holiday Meals
      • School Supplies / Backpacks Drive
      • Charles House
      • Habitat For Humanity Outreach
      • Red Cross Blood Drives
      • TABLE
    • Eco Ministry for the Earth >
      • ECO-Helping the Environment
    • Immigrant Justice Initiative
    • Share the Plate
    • Side with Love Ministry
    • Charles M. Jones Peace & Justice Committee
  • Learning & Fellowship
    • Welcoming Ministry >
      • CONNECTIONS FAIR 2023
    • Buildings and Grounds
    • 20s and 30s Group
    • Annual Fall Auction >
      • Auction Resources
    • Community Church in Action >
      • Community Day of Service 2025
      • Community Day of Service 2024 Photos
      • Community Day of Service 2023
      • Community Day of Service 2023 Photos
      • Community Day of Service 2022 Photos
      • Community Day of Service 2022
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      • Community Day of Service 2019 Photos
    • Community Clickers >
      • Patterns and Instructions
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    • qUUilters
    • Chalice Circles/Small Group Ministry
    • Flaming Chalices Softball
    • Outdoor Connections
    • Rare Women >
      • Resources for 2023-2024
      • Housing Options as We Age
      • Resources for Rare Women
    • Sanctuary for Dialogue >
      • Article II: Our Evolving Purposes, Principles, Sources, Values and Covenants
    • Spiritual Exploration for Adults (SEA) >
      • Summer Forum
      • Past SEA Classes and Programs
    • The Mountain Retreat
    • UNC Campus Fellowship
    • UU Non-Fiction Readers
    • WomenCircle
  • Members Only

CONSERVING WATER

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Clean water is a precious resource essential to our survival. We hear about disastrous shortages elsewhere but may feel immune to such shortages here in North Carolina. However, in spite of periods of abundant rainfall, we don’t have to go back very far in time to recall severe droughts and water restrictions in our own area. This area of North Carolina is growing by leaps and bounds, and the reservoirs supplying our water are becoming more polluted due to the pressures of rising population and the increased load of pollutants entering the watershed. So it’s not hard to imagine a future where clean water will be in short supply. It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of large issues like this, but if each of us takes steps to care for our water, even if it is only a few of the recommended ones, we can make a difference. Basically it comes down to using less water and trying to avoid polluting our water.  And as a very significant side benefit, you’ll also be reducing your water and energy bills!  

Reduce Use of Bottled Water 
Estimates vary, but if all the water used in the entire manufacturing cycle is considered, it may take up to 6 or 7 liters of water to produce 1 liter of bottled water. The bottling process and distribution of bottled water also is energy intensive and disposal is a problem, especially since the majority of plastic bottles don’t get recycled. (see NPR article)   So try to carry a reusable water bottle whenever possible to avoid having to purchase bottled water.

Use Water-saving Shower Heads, Low-flow Faucet Aerators, and High-efficiency Toilets
​
If you were frustrated by earlier models of these devices, you may find that the technology has improved and that newer ones give better results. When replacing these devices look for ones that are WaterSense rated by the EPA.

Use Your Dishwasher and Clothes Washer Wisely
When possible, use your dishwasher and clothes washer only for full loads, especially if the amount of water cannot be adjusted to the load. When replacing these appliances, look for Energy Star rated appliances which use less energy and water.

Check for and Repair Water Leaks
A small drip from a worn faucet washer can waste 20 gallons of water per day. A slow leaking toilet and larger leaks can waste much more. To detect a leak in your toilet, put a little food coloring in your toilet tank and see if it leaks through without flushing. To check your house for other undetected leaks, use the house water meter. Look up videos on youtube that match your type of water meter to see how to do this.  

Recycle Water for Indoor and Outdoor Watering
Some ideas include: collect water for watering plants in a bucket while washing vegetables and while warming water for showers, dishes, and laundry; collect water for outdoor watering in Rain Barrels.

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Minimize or Eliminate Use of Herbicides and Pesticides
Persistent and widespread use of herbicides and pesticides can be harmful to humans and wildlife and can runoff into streams and pollute our water supply. 

Reduce Lawn Area, Xeriscape, and Use Organic Fertilizers
Reduce your lawn area to only that needed for recreation and walking paths. “Xeriscape” by landscaping with drought-resistant, native plants and mulching with leaves. These steps will greatly reduce the need for watering outdoors and reduce the runoff. Healthy garden soil with leaf mulch needs little or no fertilizing. ​Use an electric mulching mower and you should not have to fertilize your grass. But if you have to use fertilizers, organic fertilizers are much preferable and will reduce runoff of artificial fertilizers into lakes and streams.

JUST FOR KIDS: Learn about the water cycle
​
To contact the Eco Ministry with questions, get on our Friends of the Eco Ministry for the Earth email list, or explore joining our committee send an email to [email protected].​

  • HOME
  • GIVE
    • Annual Pledge Drive 2025-2026
    • Stewardship >
      • The Reverend charlie kast Ministerial Development Fund
      • The Endowment Fund: Supporting the Future of Our Congregational Mission >
        • Proposing a Project
        • Contribute to the Fund
        • Past Projects
        • What is the Fund
      • Qualified Charitable Distributions
    • Donate Now
  • Calendar
  • About Us
    • Building Use Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Our Minister
    • Our Staff
    • Our Governance >
      • Our Board of Trustees
      • Our Covenant
      • Our Mission and Vision
      • Our Strategic Plan
      • Our Bylaws
      • More About Our Governance
    • Committees and Ministries >
      • Caring Ministry
      • Living Our Covenant with Intention
      • Endowment Committee
      • Committee on Ministry
      • Finance Committee >
        • Sunday Counters
      • Worship Ministry
    • Our History >
      • Congregational Award Recipients
    • About Unitarian Universalism >
      • The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)
      • Our Beliefs
      • Unitarian Universalist History
      • Southeast District of the UUA >
        • Building On Our Legacy Capital Fund
  • Worship & Arts
    • Upcoming Services & Schedule
    • Recordings of Past Services >
      • Recording of Past Services
      • Wednesday Vespers
      • Sermon Archive Prior to March 2020
    • Music Ministry >
      • Community Church Choir
      • Music Gala 2025
      • CMS
      • CMS Program
      • 2021 Virtual Music Gala
      • 2020 Virtual Music Gala
      • Virtual Worship Music
      • Music Program
      • Community Church Singers
      • Children's Choir
      • Youth Music Ensemble
      • UUkes
      • Instrumentalists
      • Music Team
      • Music Gala
      • Musicals
      • Pageants
      • Choir Sundays
      • Concert Series
    • Art at Community Church >
      • Art in the Sanctuary >
        • Upcoming Art Exhibits
      • Art in the Commons
      • Past Art Exhibits
  • Newcomers
    • Welcome
    • What to Expect When You Visit
    • Visiting with Children and Youth
    • Map and Directions
    • The Path to Membership
    • How to Connect
  • Youth & Children
    • About Youth and Children's Ministry At The Community Church >
      • Program Philosophy
      • Helping Children and Youth Connect at Church
      • Parent Expectations
      • Program Leadership
      • Registration and Parent Cooperative >
        • Registration
        • Parent Cooperative Information
        • Parent Cooperative Requirement
    • Ready for RE, a visual guide
    • Children's Program
    • Youth Program >
      • Sunday Programs for youth
      • Bridging
      • Youth Staff Internship Program
      • Sarah Elizabeth Insch Church Youth Leadership Program >
        • Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education
        • Insch Program History
        • Insch Program Description
        • Insch Associates
        • Insch Program Application
      • Coming of Age
    • Chalice Camp 2025
  • Justice & Service
    • Ongoing Racial Equity Work
    • Racial Justice Ministry
    • Racial Equity Challenges
    • Community Service Ministry >
      • Inter-Faith Council for Social Services (IFC)
      • Holiday Meals
      • School Supplies / Backpacks Drive
      • Charles House
      • Habitat For Humanity Outreach
      • Red Cross Blood Drives
      • TABLE
    • Eco Ministry for the Earth >
      • ECO-Helping the Environment
    • Immigrant Justice Initiative
    • Share the Plate
    • Side with Love Ministry
    • Charles M. Jones Peace & Justice Committee
  • Learning & Fellowship
    • Welcoming Ministry >
      • CONNECTIONS FAIR 2023
    • Buildings and Grounds
    • 20s and 30s Group
    • Annual Fall Auction >
      • Auction Resources
    • Community Church in Action >
      • Community Day of Service 2025
      • Community Day of Service 2024 Photos
      • Community Day of Service 2023
      • Community Day of Service 2023 Photos
      • Community Day of Service 2022 Photos
      • Community Day of Service 2022
      • Community Day of Service 2020 Photos
      • Community Day of Service 2019 Photos
    • Community Clickers >
      • Patterns and Instructions
      • Community Clickers - 2025 Projects
      • Community Clickers - 2024 Projects
      • Community Clickers - 2023 Projects
      • Community Clickers - 2022 Projects
      • Community Clickers - 2021 Projects
      • Community Clickers - 2020 Projects
      • Community Clickers - 2019 Projects
      • Community Clickers - 2018 Projects
      • Community Clickers - 2017 Projects
      • Community Clickers - 2016 Projects
    • qUUilters
    • Chalice Circles/Small Group Ministry
    • Flaming Chalices Softball
    • Outdoor Connections
    • Rare Women >
      • Resources for 2023-2024
      • Housing Options as We Age
      • Resources for Rare Women
    • Sanctuary for Dialogue >
      • Article II: Our Evolving Purposes, Principles, Sources, Values and Covenants
    • Spiritual Exploration for Adults (SEA) >
      • Summer Forum
      • Past SEA Classes and Programs
    • The Mountain Retreat
    • UNC Campus Fellowship
    • UU Non-Fiction Readers
    • WomenCircle
  • Members Only