The United States Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, reports that on average, American households use 27 percent of their indoor water for toilets, 21.7 percent for washing machines, 16.8 percent for bathing and 15.7 percent for faucets. In addition, 13.7 percent of all indoor water usage is lost to leaks. The Washington State Department of Ecology reports that nearly 40 percent of municipal water is used in lawns and gardens. Households can change habits and replace appliances to save water in each major category of use.
Toilets
If you have an old toilet, get a low-flow toilet, which uses 1.6 gallons per flush, compared with older toilets that use 3.5, 5 or even 7 gallons per flush. WaterSense-labeled toilet models use only 1.28 gallons per flush. To save more water, never use your toilet to flush trash.
Running Water And Faucets
Don't leave the faucet running while you brush your teeth, shave, wash your face or do dishes. Turn on the faucet only when necessary, and use a sink plug or plastic basin when needed. If faucet water isn't the right temperature, save it to water plants or to put in a pitcher in the fridge for drinking. Use a kettle to heat up water rather than running the faucet until it's cold.
Leaks
Fix leaks as soon as possible. According to the EPA, a leaky toilet can waste as much as 200 gallons per day. Water--Use It Wisely reports that a leaky faucet wastes up to 140 gallons a week. You can fix many leaky faucets with a wrench or by replacing small parts.
Outdoors
Watering during the day evaporates as much as 30 percent of the water used, according to EPA, so water in the early morning for the best results. However, the best way to cut outdoor water usage is to not water at all. Consider converting your lawn to native plants requiring no additional watering.
Bathing
Replacing a bath with a shower saves water, explains the EPA; a full bathtub typically uses 70 gallons of water, while a five-minute shower uses 10 to 25 gallons of water. (Water--Use It Wisely suggests that if you already shower, you can shorten every shower by one or two minutes to save up to 150 gallons every month.
Washing Machines And Dishwashers
If you're in the market for a new washing machine, note that the average high efficiency washing machine uses 13 fewer gallons per load than the average regular washing machine, according to the EPA. Water--Use It Wisely notes that running only full loads in washing machines and dishwashers saves up to 1,000 gallons per month.
References
- United States Environmental Protection Agency: WaterSense -- US Indoor Water Use
- State of Washington Department of Ecology: Water Conservation
- United States Environmental Protection Agency: WaterSense -- What Can You Do?
- United States Environmental Protection Agency: WaterSense -- Water Efficiency for Residents
- Water--Use It Wisely: 100 Ways to Conserve
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