In the 21st century, water has become a valuable commodity across the world.
Parched areas suffer from droughts, which threaten to cause economic damage that could reach consumers’ wallets. We already see the effects in places like California, and as drought conditions continue, the cost for this precious resource could rise considerably. Consider saving water with these tips.
Sink
We use water for almost everything we do in the kitchen, including preparing meals and washing dishes. Choosing not to rinse your dishes can save gallons of water.
CHECK OUT: Do You Need to Rinse Rinse Dishes Before Placing in Dishwasher?
For drinking water, fill a jug or pitcher of water to keep in the refrigerator. Otherwise, you waste water while you wait for it to turn cold each time you pour a drink.
A low-flow faucet aerator, which can be purchased at any home improvement store, is easy to install and will cut water usage by up to a couple gallons for every minute the faucet is in use.
Consider composting your kitchen scraps, which will allow you to give your garbage disposal a rest.
Dishwasher
Having a water-saving dishwasher can cut water usage by as much as 25 percent.
Wait until you have a full load to run your dishwasher.
If you don’t have a dishwasher, fill your sink to wash dishes instead of letting the water run. An added bonus: Remnants of food come loose after dishes soak in soapy water for a certain period of time, making them easier to wash.
MORE: 4 Tips to Keep Your Dishwasher from Breaking
Laundry
According to National Geographic, nearly 22 percent of indoor water use comes from doing laundry.
A high-efficiency water-saving machine is optimal. Just like with your dishwasher, you shouldn’t wash your clothes until the load is full. Newer washers will allow you to adjust the settings to your load size.
Bathroom
With sinks, toilets and showers making up for an estimated 75 percent of daily water usage, conserving water in the bathroom is imperative.
Turning off the water while either brushing your teeth or lathering up in the shower can help reduce the amount of water used by a surprising amount.
Water washes down the drain while we wait for it heat up for showers. Hire a plumber to insulate the pipes where hot water flows to cut back on this waste.
Install a low-flow shower head to save a few gallons of water every minute it runs. Reducing the length of a shower can obviously also limit the amount used.
A high-efficiency toilet can save approximately 20 gallons of water daily.
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