Droughts and other water issues are happening all across the United States. Water fees are also rising in many locations, making people’s water bills significantly higher than before. Conserving water will help to lower the strain of droughts and will also help to lower water fees. There are many ways that you can conserve water, and you will be amazed at how much water you will save.
Shortening Shower Times
If you have an older showerhead, you could be using five gallons of water per minute. Even new fixtures can waste water if you take a long shower. Consider taking shorter showers. Or you can do things like cut the water off while you lather up. Getting your shower to under five minutes will help you to drastically cut your water usage. The more you practice, the better you will get at shortening your shower times. Consider purchasing a timer to help you keep up with how long you are in the shower.
Have Plumbing Repairs Completed
If you have any repairs that are needing to be done with your plumbing, get those fixed as soon as possible. Plumbing issues like leaking pipes can cause your water usage to go up. There have been many people surprised to get their water bill and find an increase in what they normally use. Call a reputable plumber out to do the things that need to be done. For example, they will have backflow preventer repair parts to fix your backflow preventer if there is something wrong with it. The sooner you get the repairs done, the more water you will save.
Go For Energy-Efficient Appliances
You should get energy-efficient appliances that are Water Sense rated. This means they conserve water and will help you to lower your water bill each month.
Water-Saving Toilets, Faucets, And Showerheads
You should consider installing a low-flow toilet. A low-flow toilet uses considerably less water than a regular toilet and can help you to conserve water each month. You should also consider getting a showerhead that is water-saving. You will still have an adequate showerhead; it will just not use the water that the old shower head used. Faucets should have low flow put on them or aerators, which will help to save your water.
Use Your Dishwasher
You may think that your dishwasher uses too much water, and you may think that it is better to hand wash your dishes. The truth is that you use considerably more water when you handwash your dishes because you often will let the water run while rinsing the dishes. You should opt to put them in your dishwasher and then turn them on when you reach a full load.
Only Run Appliances On Full Loads
One common mistake that leads people to use too much water is that they run their washing machine or dishwasher on half loads and do not wait until they are full. This is simply a waste of water. Only run your appliances on full loads to conserve water and energy.
Turn Off The Water When You Are Not Using It
Water comes out of your faucet around 2.5 gallons a minute. When you are brushing your teeth, turn off the water, and this will help you to conserve a lot of water for your household.
Watering Your Lawn
If you have to water your lawn because it has not rained, you should only water it every three to five days. It is preferable to wait until it rains, but if it is extremely dry, try to stick it out as long as possible as you can use a considerable amount of water when you water your lawn. When you do water, make sure that you are not overwatering, as this will cause your water bill to go up. A low-flow sprinkler system may be the answer to your lawn watering needs. It is important to note that if you are in an area of drought, that you check with your local water authorities to see if there have been any restrictions put on lawn watering.
The more that you conserve water, the better. You will save money each month, and you are helping the environment. Consider doing all the things above to help conserve water.
Written by Lizzie Howard
About the Author
Lizzie Howard is a Colorado native who after graduating from the University of Colorado spends her time as a freelance writer. When Lizzie isn’t writing, she enjoys going on hikes, baking for her friends and family, and spending time with her beloved yellow lab, Sparky.
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