DWP: DIY water and power

greenlagirl — Thu, 31 May 2007 22:59:30 -0500

Where I live, DWP stands for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power -- which, BTW, offers a green energy option customers can opt for. But DIYers might consider producing their own (gray)water and power, saving some cash and reducing pollution through your effort:

Learn to install your own solar panels. If you're in the Bay area, volunteer for Grid Alternatives to learn how to install solar panels. Plus you'll be "helping low income residents cut costs on installing a new solar system for their home," according to Sara Holt of Green Options, who blogged a 2-part series on her first-hand volunteer experience.

Put in your own water recycling system. Would-be water recyclers might wanna check out Dam Nation: Dispatches From the Water Underground, a recently-published DIY guide cum manifesto for the gray watermovement. The book comes from Greywater Guerrillas, a women-founded team that promotes and installs gray water systems -- coverly, because California's complicated laws make these systems expensive to put in, even though gray water use is legal in the state.

Encourage water conservation -- by making a film about it. The Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition, run by the Rain Bird Corporation, wants to see your short films (1-20 mins) about water conservation. Finalists'll be invited to a screening event on September 30, 2007, in my sunny town; winners'll receive $6,000 for judges' selection and $3,000 for audience's pick.

BlogHer Contributing Editor Siel also blogs at greenLAgirl.com.

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DWP: DIY water and power