Some parts of the country are seeing record-breaking drought conditions. Some parts are seeing flooding, and others are having problems with contamination from various industries. It is becoming more and more apparent that the need to conserve water is important not just for some of the drier regions but all over. Water is one of our most precious resources. Without it, we will all perish in a matter of days. There are many ways to conserve water, and some of them are remarkably easy. They will even save money in the process, another valuable resource that too many of us have too little of.
Conserving Water in the Home
- Use as little water as possible to get the job done- install low flow shower heads and time your scrubbing time especially if you have family members who linger. A long, leisurely bubble bath looks romantic on television, but it wastes dozens of gallons of water and makes the tub harder to clean.
- Upgrade your toilet to a more water efficient model. If a new toilet is not in the budget right now, you can save water by installing a new flusher mechanism that adjusts to the water level that you set. If you are really frugal you can use an empty plastic bottle to save water- fill the bottle half full with pebbles and then the rest of the way with water. Place this bottle in the tank away from all moving parts and it will save water by raising the level before the tank is completely full. You may have to experiment with the size of the bottle and the levels so that you get an adequate flush while saving the most water.
- Do not water your lawns unless you absolutely have to. Some communities are still fining people for allowing their lawns to die off, so if you belong to a HOA, you may still need to water. If you do, only water in the evening when temperatures are at their coolest and the grass will have the longest period of time to soak up every precious drop.
- Capture rain water to use for watering plants or reuse the water from other chores. Roses in particular do well with the water from an aquarium or old dish water.
- A small drip in a single faucet can waste hundreds of gallons of water per year not to mention the added expense to your water bill. Check water faucets, pipes and hot water heaters on a regular basis and then make repairs or replace as needed. Pay special attention to joints because they are typically the first places to show trouble.
- Don’t leave the water running while you are doing daily tasks such as brushing your teeth or shaving. Turn the water on to wet your brush, fill a small cup to swish with and then turn the water off. For shaving, either use an electric razor or fill your sink with an inch or so of water to rinse your razor off with.
These are all simple tips and most are cost-free but will play a huge role in saving water and, in many cases, money.