Some Easy Ways to Conserve Water

Having an endless supply of safe drinking water is something most people take for granted. Processing water to keep it safe uses lots of energy. Water bills are rising in many areas and taking a bigger bite out of the monthly budget. Luckily there are some easy ways to conserve water which will not only save money but will also help protect this vital natural resource.

In the Kitchen

Whether the resident has a dishwasher or does dishes by hand, waiting until there is a full load of dishes will save water. If a dishwasher is used, running the machine only when it is full also saves on power to run the device. Many newer models also use less water and energy to keep dishes crystal clean. When purchasing a new dishwasher, consider one that has an Energy Star endorsement.

Think about starting a compost pile rather than using the garbage disposal. The disposal not only wastes water, but the organic material sent down the drain can be converted to rich soil for houseplants or gardens.

In the Bathroom

It isn’t really necessary to leave the water running while teeth are being brushed. Wet the brush and fill a small glass with water for rinsing, then just rinse the toothbrush out when finished.

For shaving, run a few inches of water in the sink for rinsing the razor.

Consider installing low-flow commodes and shower heads. These devices use a few gallons less water per use.

If plumbing upgrades aren’t in the budget, place a brick or plastic bottle filled with sand and water inside the tank. Make sure the bottles or brick don’t interfere with the working parts. By displacing some water in the tank, it will use less water to fill. This can save several gallons of water each day.

Standard showers can use 20-40 litres of water per minute. Quick showers save money.

When conserving water, every little bit helps. Those gallons saved here and there add up to less money spent on the water bill. They also help preserve precious water for future generations.