We live in a time when access to clean water is often taken for granted. Wasting water is not sustainable and leads to high utility bills. To start saving money, track usage to monitor how much water you normally use. From there you can determine how to cut back. Here are a few easy ways to save water at home.
Save Water at Home by Turning off the Tap
Turn off the water when brushing your teeth or scrubbing your hands. Leaving the tap running wastes an average of four gallons of water every time the water is left on. A five-member household that brushes twice a day can waste about 40 gallons daily by not shutting off the tap.
To save water, dampen your hands or toothbrush, then turn off the tap. Brush your teeth or wash your hands. Turn the water back on when you’re ready to rinse.
Inspect Faucets for Leaks
It’s easy to ignore a faucet with a slow drip. A faucet that leaks 15 drips a minute wastes about 400 gallons of water each year. This seems like a minor leak, but it adds to your water bill each month. To save water and reduce utility bills, repair a leaking faucet as soon as possible.
Only Run Full Loads to Save Water at Home
If you only have a couple of dirty dishes, washing them by hand is an easy way to save water. If you have a full load of dishes, using the dishwashing machine is the more efficient option. This also applies to your clothes washing machine. Only run the machine when you have a full load to save water.
Check Toilets for Leaks
To check your toilet for leaks, put food coloring in the tank. Wait 15 minutes and if you notice any color in the bowl, you have a leak that needs repairing. Fixing a leaky toilet can save hundreds of gallons of water each month. Another way to save water is to add weighted bottles to your toilet tank, keeping them away from mechanical parts. The bottles will displace water and less will be used every time you flush.
Recycle and Reuse Water
People often discard the water that they could reuse. Use the rinse water after washing dishes to finish cleaning countertops, floors, and toilets. After boiling pasta, the water can be cooled and re-purposed to water plants. You can also save on your water bills by directing rainwater from your gutters into a barrel. This will capture water that would have otherwise ended up in the sewer system.
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