How to Conserve Water at Home

Preserving water is very important when it comes to maintaining the resources of our world and guaranteeing future generations will have access to clean water. The lack of water is becoming a major problem due to the effects of climate change and growing global population. Water conservation helps to ease the burden on local infrastructure, helps preserve natural ecosystems, and uses less energy in the delivery and processing of water. Water conservation also decreases the likelihood of droughts and protects essential resources for domestic, commercial, and agricultural usage. There are many great ways we can contribute to this conservation that starts in the home (bonus: it should also help lower your water bill).

Indoor Water Conservation Tips

For bathrooms, you can install low-flow fixtures like low-flow showerheads, low-flow faucets, and low-flow or dual-flush toilets. Check for any leaks that you may have and repair any leaky faucets or toilets. You can reduce your shower time (set a timer and gradually reduce your time). Make sure t0 turn off the water when you are brushing your teeth or shaving.

For the kitchen, you can use a water-efficient dishwasher (look for energy star products) over handwashing and only run loads when they are full. If you need to use the sink to wash dishes, use a basin of water instead of continuously running the water and scrape dishes before you start washing. If you like cold water, you can keep a container of water in the fridge instead of running the tap water until it gets cold. Low-flow faucets can be used in the kitchen as well.

There are water-saving washing machines that you can buy to help out there too. Make sure to run a load only when the machine is full or change the water level for smaller loads.

Outdoor Water Conservation Tips

If you like to maintain your lawn outside, aim for drought-resistant plants and use mulching to retain moisture. There are also smart irrigation systems like Orbit or Rachio that you can get that use automated watering schedules based on weather conditions.

By following these tips, you can make a significant impact on reducing water consumption in your home, leading to cost savings, a reduced environmental footprint, and a more sustainable lifestyle.