Below are four ways to save water at home:
Turn off the faucet
Leaving water running while you are brushing your teeth, or washing fruit and vegetables can waste about nine litres of water a minute, so it’s best not leave the tap running while shaving, soaping or brushing.
When washing either produce or dishes, don't wash under running water. Either use a basin or plug and fill one sick with wash water and the other with rinse water to use little water as possible. This same concept also applies to the washroom.
Fix the leaks
Water leaks mean you are paying for water you haven't used, and they can also cause a lot of damage to your home, and possibly even to neighboring properties. A leaky faucet will add up to 2,700 gallons of water wasted over the course of a year – and a silent toilet leak could waste from 30 to up to 500 gallons every day!
So fix anything you find leaking by checking both indoor and outdoor faucets periodically for drips. A water meter is a valuable tool that can help you discover leaks. Read the meter once, wait an hour or two without running any water, and read it again. If it has moved, chances are good that something is leaking.
We're more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses for possible leaks.
Wash full loads of laundry
When using the washing machine, wait until you have a full load of clothes before you wash a load as this is the most energy and water-efficient. Replace old machines with Energy Star certified appliances that consume less water.
Do the same thing with the dishwasher, although it is a better idea to just hand-wash the dishes. If your dishwasher is new, cut back on the rinsing. Newer models tend to clean more thoroughly compared to older ones. Load the dishwasher full but not overly full.
Use water outdoors at night
Less sun means slower evaporation. Water the garden or wash the car at early evening or early morning as this gives water more time to soak in from the day’s heat.
Adjust the sprinklers so only your lawn and garden is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street. Water small patches of the area by hand to avoid water wasted; use a trigger nozzle on your hose or a watering can.
With water conservation at home, reducing the amount of water usage has never been this beneficial not only to the present generation but to future generations as well.
References:
Water - Use It Wisely. 100 Ways To Conserve. Accessed August 2010.
wikiHow. How To Save Water. Accessed August 2010.
Erwin Ronel Cruz - Erwin is a content producer and web communications specialist currently residing in Calgary, Alberta. His areas of expertise include web ...
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