Where to Save Water In The Home
Water is an essential but often overlooked resource. Municipalities with growing populations are now faced major planning to do to keep abreast of water use. Sometimes it has to be piped long distances. Sometimes a drought is just a year away emphasizing the need for a plan.
Water works experts estimate that the average home could cut back 20 gallons a day. This is far less expensive than the alternative.
Here are some around the home suggestions gathered from several government and environmental sites:
Top 10 Water Saver Tips:
1. Take shorter showers
2. Turn off faucet when brushing teeth
3. Water lawn only when it needs it
4. use broom to clean driveways and sidewalks
5. Adjust sprinklers so that don’t water driveways and sidewalks.
6. Only wash a full load of laundry
7. Only run dishwasher when full
8. Fix leaky faucets.
9. Use shut-off nozzle on your hose.
10. Plant indigenous and drought resistant plants.
Source: www.saveourh2o.org
More Water Saver Ideas by Room
Bathroom
Toilet - 26.9% 18 gallons per day, those practicing conservation save 50%.
Where to save
1. Smaller tanks (1.5gal) with cutoff vales replacing flappers and dual flush toilets.
Shower - Estimated to use 16.9%, shower heads are required to limit flow to 2.5 gpm.
Where to save
1. Take shorter showers - a typical 10 minute shower uses 25 gallons.
2. Turn off the water while soaping up or shampooing.
3. Keep a bucket in the shower to collect for watering plants.
4. Check for leaks at the water tank and all valves and faucets.
Faucets - Use 16.7% - a low-flow faucet aerator is a way to save water; attach one to each faucet.
Average person uses 2 gallons shaving
Average person uses 3 gallons teeth brushing
Average person uses 4 gallons washing hands and face
1. Try turning off the water when brushing teeth or when running water isn’t necessary.
Kitchen - Daily average water use: 10.9gal
Where to save
1. Running only full dishwasher loads and opting for a smaller can save up to 1,250 gallons per year.
2. Installing a point-of-use can save water based on the distance from the main water heater.
Laundry - Estimated 21.7 % oh home water use
Clothes washer - old clothes washers use about 40 gallons per load, newer ones about half that. Newer ones save energy too. Some machine have an adjustable load setting. A full load is the most efficient way to wash clothes.
Where to save
1. Take advantage of variable water volume setting, select the minimum amount required per load.
2. Pretreat stains to avoid rewashing.
3. Only use full cycle for heavily soiled loads.
4. Check your clothes washer hoses for ware, leaks and aging.
5. Try using less detergent . .
Landscaping - Water use can be measured with climate and square footage.
Where to save
1. Water lawns when is down or low in the sky, it cuts down on evaporation.
2. Using an irrigation with a timer is more efficient than by hand.
3. Check your water meter for leaks.
4. Many plants require less water than lawns.
5. Raise the mower blade.
6. Explore the use of rain barrels and graywater for outdoor plants.
|
