Water is a non-renewable resource. With water tables around the world drying out, the time has come to start saving water in order to leave at least some of it for future generations. You can do your bit to save water and reduce your water footprint by adopting these simple, but foolproof measures.
Take care of leaks
Studies have revealed that over 10000 gallons of water can be wasted by one home alone due to ignored leaks. Check your water utility bills as well as your water meter to check if there are any leaks in the house. Inspect all faucets, toilets, sinks, showerheads and pipe fittings, etc. for possible leaks. If you notice a leak, try fixing it yourself with some Teflon tape. If that doesn’t work, call in a professional to fix the leak.
Use greywater to water plants
By greywater, we mean all the water that is collected from the showers, bathtubs, washing machines, dish washers, sinks and so on. With the help of a simple filtration system installed in your home, you can recycle this grey water to be use for irrigation, thus preventing water wastage while allowing the plants to get adequate water for proper growth.
Turn off the shower while lathering or brushing
Some of us tend to leave the water running when we lather our bodies or brush out teeth. Make it a point to turn off the shower or tap during this period as this will prevent a lot of water from being wasted. Opt for showers and taps that have built in shut off buttons that turn off the water automatically after sensing no activity for a couple of seconds.
Install foot taps
This rather unique technique involves installing foot taps instead of the standard twist knob taps usually found in sinks and bathrooms. You can use the foot pedal to control the water flow, saving at least 50% of water in the process.
Run an energy efficient washing machine on full
Old washing machines can waste up to 60 gallons of water per load. If you have an old washing machine, consider exchanging it for a more energy efficient model. Make it a point to run the washing machine on full load as well in order to save water as well as energy.
Not only clothes, if you want to go in detail, you should even consider something like differentiating between hand washing and dishwasher water. Steps like these ensure that you utilise water at your home to the fullest efficiency.
Install low flow toilets and shower heads
Outdated toilets and showers can waste a lot of water. Replace them with newer low flow models that save neither a lot of water while not compromising on your shower nor the function of the toilet. Dual flush toilets available in the market also reduce water wastage by using different amounts of water for liquid and solid waste. Estimates reveal that a household can save hundreds of gallons of water every year with a low flow/dual flow toilet.
Install aerators in taps
This is a very simple way to reduce wastage of water in the household. By installing aerators in all the taps in the house, you will be able to regulate the flow of water better. This allow s you to save at least 30% water without any compromise in performance.
Increase the efficiency of the irrigation system
A lot of water is wasted during irrigation, thanks to watering at the wrong time which leads to the water running off the yard or evaporating. Manual irrigation is always considered best although if you have an automatic irrigation system, you can make it more efficient by installing rain/soil moisture sensors, drip lines and efficient spray heads to prevent overwatering the plants. You can also make use of the treated greywater from your home to water your plants, thus saving plenty of water in the process.
Summary
Water resources are depleting at an alarming rate. This has forced us to take measures to save water in and around the house. These tips are just the start to saving water in your home in addition to ensuring you do not waste any water.
