Water (Atlanta, Smyrna, Forsyth: condo, houses, construction)

[normie]

I think soap keeps away some insects. I don't know if these would be beneficial insects or bad insects... but I think it has to be a relatively high concentration of soap, anyway. I don't think it hurts plants to water them with soapy water.

Trying to find a silver lining, I guess one good thing about having such a dry year is that it keeps the insect population down. Which reminds--what is the likelihood of being bit by chiggers? Are they an regular annoyance, or only something you find in the deep woods?

[ATLienGirl]

I think I'm going to try the shampoo or water bottle behind the toilet thing...okay, call me dumb, but, how exactly would I do that? Go ahead and laugh...where would I attach it? I know, I know, how can you be a home owner and NOT know these things! I guess that was what daddy was always for.

[CabinFever]

I wouldn't say it's a dumb question.It has to be put somewhere so it will not get in the way of the water flow in the toilet tank.I would see if there is a way to fix it in the toilet so as it can't move,maybe tie a string around it and tie it off somewhere in the back of your toilet.I really don't know cause I have never ventured to do this myself.Maybe a heavy rock or something would work better.

[ebs964]

Originally Posted by CabinFever

I wouldn't say it's a dumb question.It has to be put somewhere so it will not get in the way of the water flow in the toilet tank.I would see if there is a way to fix it in the toilet so as it can't move,maybe tie a string around it and tie it off somewhere in the back of your toilet.I really don't know cause I have never ventured to do this myself.Maybe a heavy rock or something would work better.

I have heard that you can put a brick in your toliet tank. I have never tried this - seems like parts of the brick would end up in your toliet but it sure wouldn't move!

[JPD]

Originally Posted by ebs964

I have heard that you can put a brick in your toliet tank. I have never tried this - seems like parts of the brick would end up in your toliet but it sure wouldn't move!

I had a brick in the toilet tank at my old house for 3 years and never had a problem. I never saw any brick remnants or discoloered water in the toilet.

[atlantagreg30127]

I had heard that it's not recommended that you place bricks in your toilet tank. Apparently over time small bits of brick and break off and get flushed and settle into your lines. A piece of quartz if you have them in your yard is harder and doesn't degrade, or granite - but the water bottle thing is better.

Just take off your tank cover, flush, and then set the water bottle or shampoo bottle (with water in it and lid on tight) into the back of the tank against the side. That's it.

You can also buy cut-off switches for your shower. It's a small tube with a switch you slide back and forth to turn the water back on and off. Here is one example online with a photo, but you can easily find them at Home Depot or Lowes: Shower Saver Shut-Off Valve : Every time you take a shower you use tons of water. If you used one of these valves to cut the water off for a minute or two as you soap up, then turn it back on when you rinse, you'd save up to 40% of the water you normally use during a shower. They cost maybe $2 or so.

Today's newspaper article highlights the dire situation the whole metro area is in regarding water: Lake Lanier has three months of water storage left | ajc.com (broken link)

[JPD]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

You can also buy cut-off switches for your shower. It's a small tube with a switch you slide back and forth to turn the water back on and off. Here is one example online with a photo, but you can easily find them at Home Depot or Lowes: Shower Saver Shut-Off Valve : Every time you take a shower you use tons of water. If you used one of these valves to cut the water off for a minute or two as you soap up, then turn it back on when you rinse, you'd save up to 40% of the water you normally use during a shower. They cost maybe $2 or so.

That's a pretty cool little gadget. I think I'll get one.

[crystalblue]

looks like its about to get real...

[Southern Alan]

Originally Posted by JPD

That's a pretty cool little gadget. I think I'll get one.

I live near Smyrna, and in the last couple of years they have added about a billion condos and luxury homes there. High rise towers are still going up all over Buckhead, and as far as the eye can see in every direction from metro Atlanta more and more residences are being built, beckoning hundreds of thousands more people to move here, yet we have only 3 months of water left. Has anyone heard of any plans to stop approving all this development until our water situation can be improved? My brick in the toilet cannot atone for the 53 new houses being built a block away.

[grover]

How about building a couple of more sub divisions, and adding some more people to the area.
If you think about the growth the area has had in the last 10 years, it is only natural that this problem is happening. It seems nobody is thinking about the consequenses of the growth. They keep on building homes with underground sprinklers, and plenty of landscaping that needs to be watered.
I spent 2 years in Forsyth county and recently was able to sell my house and move back home to the northeast. It still amazes me that county and state officials don't see, or choose not to see, the problems associated with such rapid growth.