Ask Eartha Dear Eartha, My neighbor keeps a bucket at the bottom of their tub while they shower to collect water that they use in their garden. Does that really make a difference? You hear a lot about recycling from High Country Conservation Center. Summit County recycles aluminum cans, glass bottles, mattresses, and the list goes on. What about recycling water? As Colorado’s population grows, so does the demand for clean water. The state’s population has boomed to over 5.7 million and is projected to increase to 7.8 million by 2040. All this growth adds stress to our local rivers that are already stressed due to climate change and drought. This is a complex issue, so how can any one person help?