Drought-threatened areas in Southern California are missing out on an inexpensive, conservation tool - gray water. Gray water is rinse water from washing machines that ordinarily goes into the sewer. When recycled through a valve, it can be used for watering plants if non-dehydrating, salt-and-boron-free washing detergents are used. California law requires gray-water systems be 9 inches underground and thus cost up to $5,000. Because approximately 1 million Californians are illegally using much cheaper systems to save million of gallons of water weekly, it seems California legislators need to come up with new rules that hold water.

In Washington $4.6 million of stimulus funds is being paid to approximately 40 out-of-work fishermen/divers to haul up thousands of lost fishing nets - some bigger than a football field. The nets get caught in boat propellers, endanger scuba divers and kill tens of thousands marine life, mammals and birds yearly. Because they're about 100 feet down and have to be cut piece by piece, removing them is expected to take 18 months. Although there's a plan to burn the toxic nets to make energy, presently they're sealed in plastic bags and put in landfills - not a net profit for the environment.

Sixty-two percent of American households have pets and those who travel by plane with pets will profit from a Transportation Department decision. In May 2008 it gave airlines 1 year to have pet-relief areas at each airport they serve. Although the regulation was designed for service animals, all pets benefit. Miami International spent about $40,000 to build 2 pet parks, each with a bench and hydrant. El Paso International built its pet-relief area with recycled materials from previous airport projects. Seattle-Tacoma International has a post-security, pet-relief area for connecting flights. At least for pets, doing their business with airlines has improved.

Pinellas Hope is a tent city which has been in business in a wooded area outside St. Petersburg, Florida since 2007. It's owned and operated by the Catholic Diocese and has been filled since opening. The camp has 250 single-person tents, bathrooms and showers, food hall, laundry room and computers for job searches. The residents are ages 18 to mid-70's - no families are allowed. They are referred by police and social workers and assigned caseworkers to help them find work. Running the camp costs approximately $2.6 million yearly, about half coming from donations. You can't buy hope, but you can give it.

Knight Pierce Hirst takes a second look at what makes life interesting and it takes only second at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Tags: women, men, culture, culture and society, society, ideas, current affairs