It is easy to think that water is something that will never go away with a quick twist of the tap will bring it into your home at any time. However, that is simply not the case as water is considered a non-renewable resource. It is up to us to work to protect our water supply for generations to come. It may seem like it’s too big a problem for one person to make a difference, but that’s not true. Every little thing that you can do in your daily routine to reduce the amount of water you use will help water conservation efforts.
Bathroom Tips:
- Save baths for special occasions as they can use up to 70 gallons of water. Even more, if you occasionally add more hot water for a long bath.
- A short shower should be your go to for water savings. The difference between a five-minute shower and a ten-minute shower is about 12.5 to 25 gallons depending on your showerhead. If you enjoy long showers, it may be prudent to invest in a low-flow showerhead to reduce water waste.
- Deal with leaks and running toilets right away. Not only will it help the environment, but it will help to reduce your water bills.
- Turn off the water when brushing your teeth.
- Plug the sink and turn off the water when shaving. Use the accumulated water in the sink to rinse your razor.
- Invest in a high-efficiency toilet to reduce the amount of water used per flush. Some new toilets even offer options to choose how big a flush is needed with two buttons built into the tank lid.
Kitchen Tips:
- Invest in an aerator to help reduce the amount of water used from the kitchen faucet.
- Invest in a high-efficiency dishwasher as it used less water than the old fashioned method of washing them by hand. Also, make sure that you run the dishwasher only when it is full rather than running a bunch of half loads. Your water and energy bill will thank you.
- Rinse your produce in a big bowl or pan rather than using running water that goes right down the drain. Save this perfectly good water to keep your houseplants or garden hydrated.
- Fill up dirty pots and pans to soak rather than trying to scrape them while using running water.
- Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator safely rather than trying to use running water.
- Use those pesky ice cubes that slip out of your grasp as another way to water your houseplants or garden to eliminate water waste.
Yes, it’s true that one person cannot make a difference alone in preserving the Earth and resources. The thing is you will not be alone in your efforts. Promote these water saving ideas with friends and family to get them started in reducing their water usage. In turn, they can promote them to their circle and so on. Your little ripples will become a wave of change in preserving water.
