Water Conservation
in Your Home
In the U.S. alone, over 410 billion gallons of water is used every day. The
average household uses about 350 gallons daily, adding up to over 120,000
gallons a year. Not only does this high water usage deplete our global water
supply, it costs money in heating and utility bills. By switching to water
saving technologies and implementing simple conservation measures, households
can reduce their daily water use by up to 35%, saving billions of gallons per
day nationally.
There are numerous measures you can take to help reduce the amount of water used
in your home. One of the easiest ways to save water is to turn off faucets when
you aren't using them. This includes while you are shaving, shampooing your
hair, washing dishes, or soaping up. Just turning off the water while brushing
your teeth can save you over 25 gallons of water every month. Instead of
running the water while doing dishes, consider filling up the sinks with soap on
one side and rinse water on the other. This will save you gallons of water
every time you clean. If you have to use the dishwasher, be sure and run full
loads. The same applies to your clothes washer and dryer. By doing so, you can
save thousands of gallons of water every month and minimize the amount of soaps
and detergents you use. Don't do laundry unless you have to. Reuse towels
multiple times before washing them to prevent unnecessary water usage. When
preparing meals, defrost food in the fridge or microwave instead of running hot
water over them. This will prevent you from literally watching water go down
the drain without truly serving a purpose. Finally, dispose of spiders and
tissues in the trash can instead of flushing them down the toilet. Since
toilets (even low-flow models) use between 1.5 and 6 gallons per flush,
unnecessary flushing is a direct drain off your water supply.
In addition to implementing water conservation methods inside your home, there
are some things you can do outside to help minimize water use as well. Consider
using a commercial carwash that uses recycled water instead of washing your car
yourself. Cover pools, spas, and hot tubs to prevent evaporation, especially in
off-seasons when you rarely use them. Also, use a broom instead of a hose to
clean porch, driveway, etc. Both serve the same purpose, but using a broom can
help save gallons of water every time. One of the biggest uses of water in and
around homes is outside in the garden and lawn.
Click here
for more tips on ways to save water every day in your home.
Estimated Cost Savings:
Making daily choices to help conserve water can help reduce your water use and
heating bills by up to 35%. Many of the choices you can make are either free or
very inexpensive, yet can save you hundreds of dollars every year. In addition
to financial benefits, saving water helps conserve the world's natural
resources, making it friendly to both your wallet and the environment.
Regional Issues:
Some areas have strict water use codes, especially areas prone to droughts.
Check with your city administration to find out what the water codes are in your
area and be sure to follow them. Regional codes typically provide water saving
techniques that can help save you money, so it is a good idea to always keep
them in mind, even if droughts end and codes relax.
Videos on This Topic:
Water Conservation
(1:44) - GOOD Transparency -
This short playful video gives examples of how much water you can save by making
simple choices throughout your day.
Water Conservation Tips (3:18)
- Howdini.com - Get some great water saving tips for in and around your home in
this short video from Howdini.com. Find out how to save while watering plants,
brushing teeth, and washing your car.
More Information on This Topic:
Water, Use It Wisely - 100 Ways to Conserve
EPA - Water Sense Label
National Resources Conservation Service - Water Conservation In Your Backyard
U.S. Geological Survey - Water Use in the U.S.
American Waterworks Association - Water Use Statistics