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Every year we hear more and more about the uncertainty of water. As climate and weather patterns shift and change, water is one of the changes we notice the most. But so many of us are stuck in ways of using water that don’t align with our concern for the environment.
It’s hard to change, especially when – for most of us – water supply systems are out of sight and out of mind.
If you’re interested in trying to conserve water, try incorporating one or two of these tips into your life each month. Some may stay with you, others may not fit your life. But every little bit counts.
Contents
Easy changes
Growing up in the suburbs, I didn’t mind taking a long, hot shower or two a day. I let the sink run while brushing my teeth and scrubbing my face, and did small loads of laundry one after another to “make sure everything was clean.”
Then I moved to an off-grid farm with no wells. Suddenly, I was carrying buckets of wash water from a stream and collecting rainwater. I quickly realized that conserving water was just as hard as transporting it, and in doing so, I inspired my sweet extended suburban family to start conserving as well.
To reduce water consumption, start by “talking to the man (or woman) in the mirror”.
1. Close the tap
When brushing your teeth, scrubbing your hands and face, or shaving, turn off the tap. Turn it on only when you are actively using this water. Try filling the sink with a little warm water to soak your scrub brush or razor in.
2. Rinse the products in a bowl
Do not rinse your fruits and vegetables under running water in the sink. Instead, fill a large bowl halfway with clean water and use it to wash fruits and vegetables.
3. Keep drinking water in the refrigerator
To have a ready supply of fresh, potable water at your fingertips. Fill up old bottles (we use wine bottles) and store them in your fridge. This way you don’t have to run the tap to access fresh water every time you have a drink.
4. Wash the dishes by hand
Unless you have a water-efficient dishwasher, it’s best to wash most of your dishes by hand. Fill one sink halfway with soapy water and another with clean water. You will do a lot of dishes with minimal water consumption.
5. Heat your water on the stove
If your water takes a long time to heat up, fill a pot with cold water and heat it on the stove instead of running the tap until it’s hot. It takes more energy but it saves a lot of water.
6. Use a watering can
When we water our garden, we tend to use a lot more water. Instead, try filling a watering can to keep an eye on how many gallons you’re using.
7. Collect rainwater
A rain barrel or two collected under the gutter can provide you with plenty of fresh, clean water to use around the house and garden.
8. Let your weed grow
Taller grass helps the soil retain water better. Adding even a half inch of height to your lawn can help keep moisture in your soil.
9. Not watering the walkways
Use a broom, not a hose, to clean your driveway and driveways. Keep an old, beaten up broom and dunk it in water if you need to clean part of your driveway.
10. Do not throw away drinking water
If you don’t want your drinking water for any reason, don’t throw it down the drain. Add it to your dishwater, put it in the dog’s water dish, or water your plants with it.
11. Only wash full loads
Dishwasher or laundry safe, fill machine before washing. Washing half a load is extremely wasteful, even in machines that sense the load and adjust accordingly.
12. Take shorter showers
Most showers use 5-10 gallons of water per minute. Turn off the shower while you scrub, wash your hair, and shave. Try cutting a minute or two out of your shower and you’ll easily save 10-20 gallons of water.
13. Mulch
Mulching your plants helps them retain water. Use mulch between trees, shrubs and flowers to help keep them healthy and well hydrated.
14. Avoid the car wash
Wash your car at home, with a bucket and a rag – the old fashioned way. You’ll save a lot of water and you’ll be able to focus on the areas of your car that really need attention.
15. Do not water unnecessarily
Water your lawn and garden when you need it. Don’t schedule your watering so that it waters every day, even in the rain.
16. Use less fertilizer
Try replacing the fertilizer with compost. Fertilizer not only uses a lot of water to produce, but it also increases your plant’s water needs. They are more thirsty after each treatment. Conserve water and use vermicompost for a double benefit for your garden.
17. Bathe less often
Americans tend to bathe too much. We love our showers and baths very much. Try to bathe only every other day or every third day. It’s better for your hair and skin, and better for the water supply.
18. Soak your lawn and garden thoroughly
It seems counterintuitive, but giving your lawn and garden a long, deep soak rather than a daily spray will save water. A deep soak will last longer and support your plants for days, reducing the number of times you need to water.
19. Plant trees and flowers that match your climate
Fill your landscape with plants that can handle the environment. You may need to trim (or get rid of) your lawn. Trees and flowers that can exist in harmony with your environment will need less water and less fertilizer than plants adapted to a different climate.
20. Don’t use your toilet as trash
Do not use your toilet for garbage or cigarette butts. Not only do they clog the pipes and cause them to back up, but it also increases the number of flushes unnecessarily. If you blow your nose on a tissue or toilet paper, do not flush it after flushing it down the toilet.
21. Cover swimming pools
If you are not using the pool, keep it covered. Evaporation can cause you to lose over an inch of water each week when the pool is uncovered. In hot weather, you can lose more than two inches each week. Cover it when not in use and save gallons!
22. Watch your diet
Foods like almonds use more water than many other crops. Try switching to more sustainable local food and growing (or raising) your own food more. Local products, eggs and even milk can significantly reduce your water consumption.
Bigger Changes
Daily habits can significantly reduce water waste, but some of the biggest water waste comes from the major systems in our homes. If you really want to save a lot of water, try making one (or more) of the following changes.
23. Check for leaks
A leaky faucet can waste gallons of water a day. Even a slow leak can add a gallon or two of wasted water to your bill – unnoticed. Check for leaks regularly and repair them immediately.
24. Install water-saving showerheads
These easy to install shower heads can cut your water usage in half. They’re easy to find at your local hardware store, and even the cheapest option will make a difference in your water-saving efforts.
25. Stop Leaking Toilets
It’s hard to tell if your toilet is leaking. Water seeps into the toilet bowl and we don’t even notice it. Add some food coloring to the reservoir, avoid using the toilet, and see if any color appears in the bowl. If you see color in the toilet bowl even though the toilet hasn’t flushed, call a plumber and fix the leak.
26. Put a bottle of water in the tank
Use a small, weighted water bottle in the toilet tank to raise the water level without using additional water. Raising the water level slightly can save a few gallons a day without affecting the functionality of your toilet at all.
27. Try a compost toilet
Having used compost toilets for over 14 years, I can confidently say that they are a great option. Instead of rinsing out gallons of water a day, try one of the many composting options.
28. Reuse waste water
When boiling eggs or pasta, do not throw out the water. Use it to feed your plants.
29. Explore water saving settings
Some washing machines have an “eco wash” setting. It uses less water and leaves your clothes just as clean.
30. Upgrade old pipes
If your plumbing system hasn’t been upgraded in years, start planning an upgrade. Talk to an eco-conscious plumber and save for the most water-efficient system on your budget. New plumbing is expensive, but the long-term benefits of a new system are enormous.
31. ultra-low hunting
As you upgrade your system, try installing an ultra-low flush toilet (or compost toilet). The average toilet can use up to four gallons per flush. Ultra-low flush toilets only use about two gallons.
32. Install a water meter
With a water meter, you can monitor the effect of your changes on water use. This lets you see where and when you use the most water and improve your choices on a personal basis. It’s a smart way to help you conserve water.
33. Get rid of garbage disposal
Bins in the sink waste a lot of water. They are also useless. Compost food waste instead.
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