Proper septic tank or field maintenance is crucial. If a septic system is not regularly maintained, it could back up and overflow. This leads to a costly, unpleasant clean-up process.

Unfortunately, many conventional septic tank maintenance systems use harsh chemicals that can be harmful to you and the environment. These chemicals destroy the beneficial, naturally occurring bacteria that help to breakdown waste in your septic system, and they can also enter the groundwater around your home.

We’re happy to announce the addition of an all-natural treatment for your septic system!

Meadow Springs All-Natural Septic System Treatment Meadow Springs Septic treatment uses all-natural yeast and enzymes to “feed” the bacteria that break down solid waste in your septic system. The result is a system that requires less pumping without any supplementary bacteria like Rid-X or harsh chemical additives. Think of it as green fuel for an efficient septic system!

If you have a septic tank or septic field, share your comments below on how you maintain your system!

Rosamaria Caballero
The Original Green Irene Eco-Consultant

Blue is the next green! You’ve probably heard it before and may be wondering what it means. With an increasing human population, global warming, and increasing demands per person, water shortages are gradually becoming more extreme as our water resources dwindle. Less than 1% of the world’s total water supply is available for human consumption, but most of it is polluted, unusable, or dedicated to such heavy users as agriculture and industry.

Here in Maryland, we LOVE the Chesapeake Bay. It provides us with tremendous natural beauty, abundant opportunity for recreation, and of course delicious regional food (crabcakes anyone?). But our beloved bay is threatened on many fronts, one of which is contamination from overloaded sewage treatment plants and outdated septic systems. The more water we waste, the more chemicals and nutrients flow into the bay, and the more local tax dollars need to be spent trying to repair the damage.

With this and the prospect of dwindling water supplies in mind, it is becoming ever more important to conserve water. As your local Green Irene Eco-Consultant, I can help you determine how you can conserve water in your home. Using the Green Irene Water Conservation Kit, you can save thousands of gallons of water per year in your home, which also helps reduce your energy bill in addition to reducing your footprint. The Kit includes a 1.5 gallon per minute (gpm) kitchen sink aerator, a 0.5 gpm bathroom sink aerator, a toilet fill cycle diverter, and other items that will help you save water and money.

For example, if you heat water with electricity purchased from our local utility, your electricity rate is approximately $0.12/kwh (and likely to increase!). If your water rate per thousand gallons is $7.68 ($2.32 incoming plus $4.08 outgoing plus 20% environmental protection charges), and you purchase and install the $133 bath kit, your family can save nearly $6,000 over the lifetime of the kit, which is about 7 years. Your investment would pay for itself in less than 2 months, and if electric or water rates increase, your savings would be quickly amplified. The Green Irene Water Conservation Kit will help you reduce your water use at home by using less without sacrificing lifestyle.

I can help you to determine your water consumption and find out how much you can save. Just ask me — your local Green Irene! I would be more than happy to help you make blue the next green!

Contact Terri Rafiq, Independent Authorized Green Irene Eco-Consultant

http://www.GreenIrene.com/1028; 443-454-0732; terri.annapolis@greenirene.com

With green becoming mainstream, you may be wondering what else you can do to further green up your home. You may have found yourself in charge of organizing a family party. Ever thought your event had a significant environmental impact? Have you ever considered not only greening your event, but cutting event costs at the same time as you green up? You don’t have to think too much any longer; we’re here to help.

Green Irene has just released its Green Home Event Checklist. The Checklist allows you to identify aspects of your party that have a significant environmental impact based on categories, such as improving energy efficiency, sending e-mail invitations, and using reusable silverware, and then prepare for them in advance by following the specific recommendations for those items you identify.

Whether your event is at home or in a large venue, you can identify specific targets for which you can prepare in advance to help you achieve real measurable results. The Checklist provides recommendations to help you reduce energy use and carbon emissions, cut on waste and save resources, and educate your guests, all while reducing your overall costs.

Green Irene believes that greening your party is not just responsible, but also saves you money by eliminating unnecessary costs and sets you apart as a green leader. To find more about the Green Home Event Checklist, ask your Local Green Irene Eco-Consultant.

Rosamaria Caballero
Co-Founder and the Original Green Irene

National Geographic shows you how to “seal your home” for greater energy efficiency and money savings. Covers thermostats and other key areas. Your home’s heating and cooling systems make up to 45% of your utility bill.

Rosamaria Caballero Stafford
Co-Founder and The Original Green Irene