Water Conservation Throughout the Home

Today’s modern household uses water for numerous purposes.

Everyday tasks like cleaning dishes, taking showers, doing laundry and washing the car can add up to several or even hundreds of gallons of water used every month.

Conserving the amount of water used at home will not only keep your water bill lower; it’s also better for the environment. When you save water, you can help to reduce pollutant and contaminant runoff into natural lakes, rivers and streams; as well as extend the life of your sewer or septic system.

If you’re considering a water conservation plan for your house, there are several tips and tricks you can use to reduce your water consumption. Once you make these practices a habit, you’ll be surprised at just how much water you can save.

In the Kitchen

• Only run the dishwasher with a full load. Running the dishwasher multiple times for smaller loads will cause you to use twice as much water. Dishwashers also use less water per load than it would require for you to wash them by hand.
• Don’t pre-rinse your dishes. If you have a high-quality dishwasher, it should remove food particles and stains without the need for pre-rinsing, saving excess water use.
• If you wash your dishes by hand, fill one side of the sink with fresh water and use it for rinsing when the dishes are scrubbed clean rather than rinsing each plate, cup, or utensil individually.
• Install a water aerator on your kitchen faucet. An aerator allows the water pressure to remain the same but can help to reduce water use by as much as one full gallon every minute.
• Keep a large pitcher of water in the refrigerator for use whenever you need cold water. This will eliminate the need to run the sink and wait for the water to get cold.

In the Bathroom

• Consider getting a low-flow shower head in your bathroom that can reduce water use every time you shower without having to sacrifice water pressure.
• Check to make sure the parts inside your toilet tank are in good shape and up to date. Worn-out fittings or chains can cause the toilet to run unnecessarily. Many new models of high-efficiency toilets work just as well without using as much water, so consider upgrading (see the cost to install a new toilet).
• Never allow the water to run while you are brushing your teeth. This can waste an excessive amount of water every time. Instead, just rinse, turn off the sink while you brush, then rinse again when you’re ready to clean off the toothbrush.
• Only fill your bathtub halfway instead of all the way to the top. Once you get in the bath, the water should rise to a comfortable level.
• Rinse razors in the sink with about one inch of water instead of rinsing them under a running stream from the faucet.
• Take shorter showers whenever possible.
• Repair leaky shower faucets and valves.

Other Indoor Water Conservation

• Check to make sure all of your pipes are properly insulated (find local insulation contractors). It can take longer for water to heat up if your pipes are not insulated, which results in the water running for much longer periods of time. You should also cover your hot water heater with a special insulating blanket or cover.
• Look for leaks regularly throughout your home. Check under all sinks and under crawl spaces, and be sure to learn how to check and read your water meter. When in doubt, contact a professional plumber to perform regular leak checkups.
• Switch to more energy-efficient appliances, like washing machines that load from the front. Front-loading machines use much less water than top-loading washing machines and work just as well to get your clothes clean.
• When you wash fresh produce, re-use that same water for your houseplants rather than filling up a watering can.

Saving Water Outside

• Water your lawn and garden as early in the morning as possible. This will prevent the water from evaporating as quickly and result in the need for less watering in general. If you use a professional lawn care service, they may be able to help or have other ideas to conserve.
• Put automatic water sprinklers on a timer and make sure they are pointing only at areas where plants will be watered.
• Look for drought-resistant plants that can live throughout the year. These hardy plants often rely on their own water reserves and don’t need to be directly watered as often as other species.
• Place a layer of mulch around your flower bed and garden and under shrubs and trees You can also find a local landscaper to help. Mulch looks nice and helps keep water from evaporating as quickly, and ensures that the water is getting down to the roots.
• When it comes to washing your car, use a bucket filled with soap and water and a sponge rather than running the hose the entire time. You can repeat this by filling the bucket with clean water when you’re ready to rinse.
• Consider using a rain barrel to catch water to help nourish your outdoor plants. These special containers harvest rain quickly and will prevent you from using a hose or sprinkler system as often.

Just for Kids

• Stay away from toys that require constant running water. Instead, use a small pool to enjoy water outside, or use sports-related toys and remote-controlled devices instead.
• When washing hands, turn off the sink while kids are lathering up.
• Don’t let children flush tissues or other items down the toilet. Not only is this wasteful, but it can also cause serious plumbing problems. Encourage your kids to use a wastebasket for tissues and other everyday essentials they may be tempted to flush.
• If your children have fish, re-use the water from the tank to provide nourishment to your houseplants instead of pouring it down the drain.
• When washing the dog, make sure you wash them on an area of the lawn that needs water so you can accomplish two tasks at once. Just be sure the soap you use is safe for plants.
• Teach children to always turn the faucets off tightly to avoid drips and unnecessary water waste.

1 Comments

1. Naomi, February 19:

   Eco toilets are also good for the environment.