There are 4 basic ways to save water:
1. Economize – Be conscious of the amount of water you use. Whenever you can, use less.
2. Fix Leaks – Leaks in the home can waste about 10% of the water used in homes. Most leaks are easy to spot and repair with basic know-how and simple tools
3. Use water-saving devices – Numerous simple devices can reduce water usage including aerators, flow regulators and displacement devices.
4. Re-use water – Used water from the kitchen sink or shower is often suitable for other purposes such as irrigation.
In the bathroom – a leaky toilet can waste up to 200 gallons per day!
| Do no flush unnecessarily | Check your toilet for leaks | ||
| Leave for 10-15 minutes without flushing | Add a few drops of food coloring into the tank | ||
| If coloring appears in the bowl, you have a leak | Try cleaning the plunger ball and valve seat – try the coloring test again | ||
| No luck – the valve and ball assembly may need to be replaced | Call your local plumber | ||
| Purchase a water-conserving (low-flow) toilet | Low-flow toilets use about 1.6 gallons per flush compared to 3.5 gallons in older toilets | ||
| Have an older toilet? Try placing a one-quart plastic bottle in the tank away from movable parts | Limit your shower time to less than 5 minutes | ||
| Turn off the water while shampooing | Install low-flow showerheads or flow restrictors | ||
| Use a glassful of water to brush your teeth, not a continuously running pipe | A little water in the basin is enough to clean your razor while shaving | ||
In the kitchen – a leaky faucet (slow drip) can waste up to 10 gallons per day!
| Install flow aerators on kitchen faucets |
| If you wash dishes by hand, don’t leave the water running for rinsing. If you have two sinks, fill one with rinse water. If you only have one sink, use a spray device or short blasts instead of letting the water run. |
| Don’t defrost frozen foods with running water. Either plan ahead by placing frozen items in the refrigerator overnight or defrost them in the microwave. |
| Rinse fruit and veggies in a bowl of water instead of under running water |
| Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when full |
Outdoors – watering your lawn and plants around midday can waste up to 300 gallons per month!
| Use a hard broom to sweep driveways, gutters and steps |
| Water during the cool parts of the day. Early morning is better than dusk since it helps to prevent the growth of fungus. Also try using “grey water” to water plants and lawn. |
| Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Chunks of bark, peat moss or gravel slows down evaporation. |
| Drive your car onto a lawn to wash it. Rinse water can help water the grass. Also wash with a bucket of water and a rag not a running hose. |
| Tell your children not to play with the garden hose |
Fresh clean drinking water is yours to use whenever you need it, but not to waste. It is too valuable. Following the tips outlined can save you thousands of gallons of water and saves money too. Be alert. If you see water being wasted in your home, tighten up. If you see it being wasted elsewhere, speak up!