A typical family of four uses as much as 400 gallons of water per day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Simple lifestyle changes and conscientious habits can reduce that number, thereby cutting water waste while lowering your utility bills. Even small changes, like shortening your shower by a minute or two, can add up to make a large impact.
Running Water
You waste water when you let the faucet run while performing daily activities, such as brushing your teeth and shaving. Let the water run only when you're actively using it and turn the faucet off in between. While showering, water can be conserved by turning the faucet off while you're soaping up or shampooing, then turned back on briefly to rinse.
To save water while washing dishes, fill the sink with water for rinsing, rather than letting the water run continuously. If you use a dishwasher, you can conserve both water and energy by running the washer only when it's completely full.
Leaks
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 10 percent of homes lose 90 gallons of water a day because of leaks. Dripping faucets and running toilets are the main culprits, and in most cases you can repair these leaks yourself for little cost.
You can determine if you have a leak by checking your water meter when you know that water won't be used for a while, such as when you're going to be away from home for a few hours. Look at the meter again when you return. If the numbers aren't the same, you may have a leak in your home.
Fixtures and Appliances
Most conventional toilets use 3.5 gallons of water or more per flush, which accounts for about 40 percent of indoor home water use, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. By contrast, low-flush toilets use 1.6 gallons per flush, which significantly reduces water use. If replacing your toilet isn't an option, you can place an object instead, such as a milk container full of water, into your toilet tank to raise the water level, thereby reducing the amount of water used in each flush.
Water flows through a standard showerhead at approximately 4.5 gallons per minute, while 2.5 gallons per minute flow through a low-flow showerhead. Since your shower utilizes heated water, you can save money on both your water and your electric bills by replacing your showerhead with a low-flow model. Showerheads and other fixtures that feature the WaterSense label have been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for efficiency.
Modern energy-efficient washing machines use about half as much water as conventional machines. To save even more water, change the washer's load setting to truly reflect the amount of items you're washing.
Outdoors
Gray water, which is water that has been used in washing machines or for washing your dishes, can be used to water lawns and plants, thereby reducing water waste. Cultivating indigenous plants or plants that need little water can also save water.
Water your garden during the cooler parts of the day, such as early in the morning and late in the afternoon. This practice reduces the amount of evaporation and allows the garden to retain more water. Similarly, if you have an outdoor swimming pool, utilize a cover to prevent water evaporation so the pool won't need to be refilled as much.
Member Comments