Carol over at CleanTechnica found this amazing automatic faucet that recharges itself via a tiny turbine. Check out her description and the diagram: “EcoPower Faucet Saves Energy by Recharging with Each Use”. I’m not a big fan of automatic faucets. They make me feel like the faucet gods are laughing at me as I wave my hands under the tap and fail to illicit any watery response, but I know they save water and help slow the spread of germs in public facilities. On the down side, automatic faucets usually need an electrical outlet, so this recharging variety could help public facilities save energy. I wonder how the turbine deals with things other than water going down the drain?

Meanwhile, eco-conscious consumers are concerned by the waste and health issues that go along with our addiction to bottled water. Even fancy restaurants in the Bay Area are replacing their bottled water with carbon filtered tap water. Ask Umbra answers a concerned consumer’s question about the safety of Nalgene. She recommends going with glass bottles, like those from Aquasana

Biota provides another option, disposable water bottles made from biodegradable corn plastic. While using these bottles wouldn’t reduce the carbon footprint caused by transportation, they might be an important alternative for those times when disposable water bottles are needed.

Around Northern California, stainless steel bottles from Kleen Kanteen seem to be popular. I haven’t tried one though, because I can’t help but think that water sitting around hot weather would get warm and metallic tasting rather quickly.

Lately I have been reusing my glass Pellegrino bottle. Maybe not the best solution, but it works until I find the ultimate safe, environmentally friendly water bottle.