What Are 5 Actions You Could Do To Conserve Water In Your Home?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, reports that less than 1 percent of Earth's water is usable, and clean water is a scarce resource for many people around the world. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that 3 million people die each year because they lack access to clean and safe water. Meanwhile, according to the EPA, one American uses 10 times the amount of water recommended by the World Health Organization for personal use each day. By making small changes to your daily habits, you can conserve water.

Turn Faucets Off

While you brush your teeth or shave, don't let the faucet run. Turn off the tap after wetting your toothbrush, and turn it back on only when you need it. Fill the sink with water to rinse your razor rather than running a stream of water. If you wash dishes by hand, fill one sink with water for washing and another sink with water for rinsing. While washing your car, turn off the hose when you're not using it. The EPA asserts that using this car-washing method can conserve up to 150 gallons of water.

Check for Leaks

Check your faucets, pipes and toilets for leaks. Earth Easy suggests putting food coloring in your toilet tank and observing whether it appears in the toilet bowl without flushing. If the color seeps into the bowl within 30 minutes, it can indicate a leak. Check your water meter and then stop all water use two hours. If the meter shows that water has been used, you have a leak somewhere in your home. Water Use It Wisely reports that you can conserve as much as 300 gallons of water each month by fixing leaks.

Install Water-Saving Fixtures

Install a water-efficient showerhead to reduce water use in the bathroom. You can save up to 750 gallons each month after you make the switch, according to Water Use It Wisely. Use faucet aerators to reduce the amount of water flowing from the tap. Consider making your next toilet a low-flush model. The EPA reports that these toilets use approximately 1.6 gallons of water per flush, considerably less than a standard toilet, which uses up to 5 gallons per flush.

Use Appliances Wisely

Only run the washer and dishwasher with full loads. If you must run them with partial loads, change the water setting accordingly. Avoid using a garbage disposal if you can, because the appliance requires large volumes of water to operate. Earth Easy suggests composting to dispose of food waste. If you are going to replace your washer or dishwasher, consider purchasing a high-efficiency model.

Change Gardening Habits

The EPA reports that half of all water used in irrigation is wasted. Make sure that your sprinklers are watering the intended area, and only water when necessary. Water Use It Wisely suggests watering early in the day to avoid water loss through evaporation. Spreading mulch around plants can also help reduce evaporation.