Save Water
Most people in North America use 50 to 70 gallons of water indoors each day, with over 75% of all water being used in the bathroom. We use another 50 to 70 gallons outdoors, depending on the season.
Cutting down on all of that water not only will save you on your utility bill, but also it will help prevent pollution in lakes, rivers and streams.
Tip #1 — Check the Toilet
Almost one-third of water use is from flushing the toilet, so any small change you can make in water use there means big savings.
- Check your toilets for leaks by put a little food coloring in your toilet tank. If, without flushing, the color begins to appear in the bowl within 30 minutes, you have a leak. Most replacement parts are inexpensive and easy to install.
- Don’t flush trash. Every time you flush a tissue or other small bit of trash, five to seven gallons of water are wasted.
- Get a float booster to reduce the amount of water in your tank. This inexpensive part can save you up to 10 gallons per day!
Tip #2 — Dish-wash Wisely
The kitchen has its fair share of wasted water, too, especially at the sink.
- Fully load your dishwasher. The same amount of water is used whether you are washing one plate or 50. Also, most soaps today do not require pre-rinsing, so skip that cycle.
- Don’t leave the water running. If your have a double basin, fill one with soapy water and one with rinse water. If you have a single-basin sink, gather washed dishes in a dish rack and rinse them with a spray nozzle.
Tip #3 — Go Low-Flow
By replacing your regular showerhead with a low-flow version,
you can reduce your water use by as much as 45 gallons each day (that's about 18%)!
Tip #4 — Use Rain Water Efficiently
Running a sprinkler for two hours can use up to 500 gallons of water. But you don’t have to sacrifice a lush lawn.
- Place a rain barrel where it can collect rain off of your gutter system. Then use the water to water your lawn, gardens and shrubs.
- Deep-soak your lawn when you water. Too little can evaporate quickly and encourage shallow roots. Put an empty tuna can on your lawn — when it's full, you’ve watered about the right amount. '
- Water only when the grass needs it. An easy trick — step on your grass. If it springs back up, it doesn’t need water. If it stays flat, the lawn is ready for watering.
Tip #5 — Watch the Washing Machine
- Wash only a full load when using an automatic washing machine (32 to 59 gallons are required per load).
- Use the lowest water-level setting on the washing machine for light or partial loads.
- Use cold water as often as possible to save energy and to conserve the hot water for uses that cold water cannot serve. (This is also better for clothing made of today’s synthetic fabrics.)