Pre
- 1970 |
1970
to Date |
|
| 1.Wringer
washing machines were commonly used at that time. These machines would
use 40 to 60 gallons of water per week. Many consumers would discharge
the water out the window instead of down the drain. |
1.
Automatic washers now use up to 60 gallons per wash load and because
many households are dual income, washing clothes is done on Saturday
and/ or Sunday.
|
| 2.
Because the laundering procedure was quite involved many people would
wear clothing two, three or even four times before laundering. |
2.
Because the laundering procedure became so easy with automatic washers
many people will only wear clothing once.
|
3.The
bulk of our clothing was 100% tight weave cotton, like jeans, which
would shed organic lint.
|
3.
A large portion of our clothing is now a poly-cotton blend, such as
wash and wears clothing and sweat type garments. Sweat type clothing
generates a tremendous amount of lint. The synthetic lint, once introduced
into a septic system, will never break down.
|
4.Hardwood
and tile floors were the norm.
|
4.Carpeting
is the flooring of choice in most homes for comfort as well as cost.
Carpeting also produces an enormous amount of lint.
|
5.
Most homes had only one bathroom.
|
5.Many
homes have two, three, even four bathrooms. |
| 6.Bathing/
showering was restricted in many homes as to how often and how long. |
6.
Daily showers/ bathing is common. Whirlpool baths have encouraged
long soaking baths. |
| 7.Bath
towels were often hung up to dry and be used again. |
7.
Many people will use two or three towels per shower/ bath. |
| 8.Most
consumers currently on septic systems had grown up using a septic
system. They knew the limitations and practiced water conservation
techniques- not to protect their water supply but to protect their
septic system. |
8.
Septic systems were new to many of these transplanted families and
in many cases (even today) the consumers were not informed as to the
limitations of a septic system. Therefore, they continued to use water
in the same fashion as when on the city sewer system. |
| 9.Many
homes would only flush the toilet when solids were present. Even today
some households will not flush toilet paper down the drain, rather
it is placed in a separate container and is disposed of by other means. |
9.
Homes flush every time whether solids are present or not.
|
10.Water
softeners were considered an unnecessary, expensive luxury.
|
10.
Water softeners are now a standard fixture in many homes. Some softeners
will discharge up to 120 gallons of salt solution with every regeneration
cycle and some will cycle three, four even five times per week.
|
