How I Lived Without Running Water - Part II
How We Bathed and What I Learned
Much to my chagrin as a young child, my parents found a way for us to take baths during the few weeks we were without running water. We heated water in large pots on our propane gas stove. We poured the hot water into the bathtub and mixed it with room temperature water from other jugs of water.
Fortunately, our septic system still worked fine. When we were done with a bath, we could simply allow the used bath water to drain out of the tub as usual.
How We Washed Our Hands
Because water could still drain down the pipes and out to our septic tank as usual, we were able to wash our hands fairly normally. Rather than turning on the faucet, we kept one of the gallon jugs of water next to the sink. Careful to pour the water over the sink, we poured water from the jug onto our hands, lathered our hands with soap, and then poured more water from the jug to rinse our soapy hands.
Conservation
When our well was dry, we had absolutely no running water. At first, I would occasionally forget and turn the sink faucet on out of habit. Nothing came out. Not a drop of water.
We were careful to conserve the use of the amount of water we had in the jugs. We used the absolute minimum amount of water at bath time. We used only a small amount of water from the jug to wash our hands.
Since our septic system still worked, we could have used our indoor toilets, simply pouring water from the jugs to flush the toilet. However, our outdoor toilet setup used no water at all. When your water supply is limited to water in a bunch of old milk jugs, you do not want to waste several gallons of water to flush the toilet.
Rainfall
After several weeks without running water, the skies finally opened and dropped precious rainwater onto our property. The rain seeped into the soil and began to fill our well. We had running water once again.
Perhaps I am fortunate to have grown up understanding our relationship with nature. As an adult, I now live in a home in the city and have a seemingly "endless" supply of water. Yet, I continue to make an effort to conserve water in my daily activities.
Ultimately, the world's fresh water supply is limited. All 6.5 billion humans currently living on Earth must find ways to conserve water so that each person may have her share.
Published by Lori Wheat
Lori Wheat is a progressive, reformed attorney turned freelance writer, gardener, and property manager. She lives with her wonderful husband and adopted greyhound dog in Norman, Oklahoma. View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentIt is really great to get a unique perspective from someone who grew up on a FARM. Thank you for sharing.
Water to cook or drink came from a big metal container that collected rain water. It rains a lot in the Pocono mountains, but I did not drink much water when there. They did get running water, but it took a lot of forcing before they installed an indoor toilet. It was a horror for a "city girl" the first time I had to use that outhouse at midnight at the last stages of pregnancy, thinking of the bears and spiders.
California is running out of clean water supplies, so yes, eiffelvu, "you never know". Spent a lot of time at my ex's great aunt and uncles. They did not have indoor plumbing, nor running water. We had to cross the highway, pump water into a bucket from a well, carry it back and heat it on an old coal stove. The tub was in what was called the "summer kitchen". Anyone entering the back door entered the house through that door and no one used the front door. I learned to take sponge baths, when visiting, because it is amazing how many trips it took to get a "1/4 inch" of still hot water in that tub. And only a shower curtain for privacy.
Thanks for the fascinating article...it is so important not to take our water for granted, you never know...
Very resourceful! Thanks so much for sharing your experience!
This s a valuable lesson that everyone needs to learn. A while back, I wrote a piece called "Water:A Simply Amazing Resource". You might enjoy it. I haven't gone through anything like this unless you count camping, but that's on purpose and not for quite as long. I'm glad you could use your experience for something positive. :-)
Water conservation is so important. I'm glad you and your family were able to endure the water shortage as well as you did.
Sophie
Once again, thanks for sharing! You're right, everyone should find ways to conserve water. You've offered some valuable information!