When you look at a map, it appears that we have an almost unlimited supply of water on our planet. But when you learn that only around 1% of the earth’s water is fresh, it changes your perspective. And when you know that the average U.S. household consumes about 300 gallons of water each day, it becomes crystal clear that we all need to be more conscious of how we use water and ways to reduce water waste. And as a bonus, you will also notice that your home’s water bill will decrease a bit when you are working to help the planet.
Simple Solutions To Stop Wasting Water
- Stop using your toilet as a trashcan. Toilets use about one-third of all water consumed in the average household. And flushing dental floss, hair, and other trash is a waste of up to seven gallons per flush, depending on the type of toilet that you have.
- Long showers use a massive amount of water. The average showerhead uses 2.5 gallons of water a minute. In ten minutes, that adds up to 25 gallons of water. If you want to lounge in hot water for more than a couple of minutes, fill the tub and luxuriate as long as you please without wasting water.
- Switch to a low-flow showerhead that uses an aerator to mix air into the water. The shower feels the same but uses less than two gallons of water per minute. It’s a great way to save water without altering your routine.
- Check your home for water leaks and dripping fixtures. U.S. News reported that the average American household wastes over 10,000 gallons of water each year from leaks and dripping faucets. You will also enjoy seeing your water bill decrease.
- Wash only full loads of laundry. This will save water and electricity so you can enjoy a little wiggle room in your household budget.
- Run only a fully loaded dishwasher. Again, you will be saving some cash on water and power while helping the planet.
- Using a dishwasher is far more efficient than hand washing. Some estimates believe a dishwasher reduces water consumption by as much as 75%. If you must hand wash dishes, fill the sink with soap water and wash all the dishes while the water is off. Then rinse all the dishes at one time.
- Older toilets use between five and seven gallons of water per flush. Installing a new low-flow toilet will reduce that number to about two gallons per flush. That adds up to over 200 gallons a week saved if you flush your toilet only six times each day.
- Stop overwatering your lawn and water early in the morning when the water is less likely to evaporate. Irrigation systems provide the most even watering. With a smart controller, the system waters only as needed to save water and keep your grass looking great.
- Letting the water run while you brush your teeth is like throwing money down the drain. Brushing twice each day for four minutes combined wastes nearly 2,200 gallons per year if your faucet has a flow rate of 1.5 gallons per minute.
All of these tips are relatively easy to work into your life without altering your routine too much. And several of them will offer nice savings on electricity as well. To learn more about reducing the water waste in your home, call (214) 388-8838. The plumbing pros at Flow Plumbing are here to assist you with leak repairs and other water conservation tips.
