You might think of water conservation as something we should only worry during warmer months when watering lawns and gardens, filling swimming pools and washing our cars. While it’s true water use may spike in the summer, everyday activities like flushing toilets, brushing our teeth, shaving, and washing clothes and dishes account for the most water use in households. Many of these activities also require energy to heat the water, conserving water and energy often go hand in hand. Use the tips below to get started in conserving water, they can help to save money and the environment.
In the Kitchen:
- Designate one glass for your drinking water each day. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
- Plan ahead! Don’t use running water to thaw food. Safely defrost food in the refrigerator.
- Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
- Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap. Recycle the water when you are done by watering plants with it.
- Only run the dishwasher when it is full.
In the Laundry:
- Wear clothing more than once if it isn’t truly dirty!
- When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
- Washing dark clothes in cold water saves water and energy, and helps your clothes keep their color longer.
- When shopping for a new washing machine, look for energy saving models. Some can save up to 20 gallons of water per load.
In the Bathroom:
- Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You’ll save up to 1,000 gallons per month. Every minute counts.
- Purchase and install a water saving shower head.
- Check for leaks, toilet leaks in particular can be silent.
- Turn off the water while you brush your teeth, wash your hands or shave.
- Consider buying a dual-flush toilet. It has two flush options: a half-flush for liquid waste and a full-flush for solid waste.