How to Preserve Water at Home

Water is something that we take for granted, not knowing or understanding just how precious it really is. Over the years water conservation has managed to grasp more attention due to the visible climate changes that are occurring around the world and water pollution. Water conservation not only helps you save on your water bill but it can also help prevent water pollutions in the rivers and lakes which can affect wildlife. If you are finally ready to start listening and doing your part to save our water, there are numerous ways for you to start. 

The first place you can start with conserving water is your home. Some ways you can help preserve water in your home include: 

Turn faucet off while brushing your teeth- There is no need for the gallons of water to seep through your pipes while you are brushing your teeth. 

Flush when needed- Do not use your toilet to flush away bugs, cigarette buds, hair or other items other then what it is intended for. This can save you five to seven gallon of water on each flush.

Install water-saving shower head - Low-flow shower head means that you will use less than 2.5 gallons of water per minute. Another way to save water is it to shut the water off when you are shampooing your hair and scrubbing. Install high-efficiency toilets- A toilet that used less water can save you .5 to 5 gallons on every flush. If you don’t have the money to replace your toilet, use two water bottles, fill them two inches with rocks or sand and the rest with water, and place them safely inside your toilet tank. This can help you save ten or more gallons of water a day. 

Use your dishwasher on full loads- Wash your dishes only when the dishwasher is full to help save water and if you are looking for a new dishwasher make sure it is water-efficient. Do not rinse your dishes if you are using the dishwasher since this can help you save over 20 gallons of water. If you don’t have a dishwasher and wash dishes by hand, put in a faucet aerator which is cheap and easy to install. Also, turn the water off when you are scrubbing the dishes and only use it to rinse off your dishes. 

Don’t use the sink garbage disposal-Your sink garbage disposal needs a lot of water to flush away the waste. Instead clean your sink after each use and throw away the waste in the garbage. If you have the room and time, create a compost to help dispose of your vegetable scraps. 

Use your washing machine for full loads- Don’t run your machine on small loads instead, use them on full loads. This will also save you time since you will be doing one load instead of multiple ones. If you have delicate shirts or items that you don’t want to put in the machine hand wash them instead. If your washer is old, consider purchasing a new one that is energy efficient and can save you up to 50% on water and energy.

There are numerous of ways we can save water and decrease our water intake. If you are implementing a change make sure that your family follows the rules as well. Sit down and have a discussion on how water is important and how they can help you cut down on your water use. By implementing the above rules, you will not only save on your own water bill but you will be helping the community as well.