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Practical Tips for Water Conservation

By Kirsten E. Silven - 05 Dec 2010 11:3:0 GMT
Practical Tips for Water Conservation

Water conservation is the responsibility of everyone on the planet. It is a vital component to life on earth, and every living thing on earth is totally dependent on water to stay alive. Although water is a natural resource, there is not a limitless supply of fresh water. As more people occupy the planet, more water will be used; therefore, it is important that we utilize existing supplies wisely.

There are hundreds of ways one can reduce water consumption. Here are some important practical ways to help you become a wise water conservationist:

1. When washing dishes by hand, don't rinse them under a running faucet, it is far better to use a sink or bowl with rinsing water.

2. When brushing your teeth, don't let the faucet run. Better to fill a glass of water for rinsing your mouth and leave the faucet off - it's amazing how many gallons of water go down the drain!

3. Wash your vegetables and fruit in a bowl or a pan of water. Washing under a running tap uses much more water. Save the water after you have rinsed the vegetables and use it to water your houseplants.

4. When you need to replace the water in a fish tank, save that nutrient rich water for plants as well and watch them flourish.

5. Use the shower instead of taking a bath when bathing, as showers use less water. Also, install a water efficient shower head. A good one can save as much as 40% of our water consumption, and a family of 4 can save as much as 17,000 gallons of water in one year!

6. Leaking faucets waste as much as 140 gallons of water in one week, so check all faucets and replace washers regularly. Don't forget to check outside faucets as well - they can waste just as much water (or more).

7. Educate your children about conserving water, and ensure that they know to switch off faucets properly. Encourage them to tell you if a faucet does not switch off properly. It may be time to change the washers.

8. The toilet can also use a large volume of water; standard old toilets use about 3.5 gallons per flush. If you have an old toilet, consider replacing it with a newer, low-volume model which only uses 1.5 gallons per flush. You can effectively save about 2,000 gallons of water each year for changing just one toilet!

9. Need to replace your hot water tank? Consider a tankless hot water unit. You will save water and electricity at the same time.

10. Time to wash your vehicle? Use a bucket with soapy water for the wash, and rinse it off with a bucket of clean water and a sponge, it uses less water than a hose.

11. Don't run the faucet to get water for cold drinks. During the day, fill a 2 liter pitcher of water and store it in the fridge instead, then have your cold drinks from that and save water.

12. Dishwashers and washing machines use a large amount of water. Run them only when they are full to save about 1,000 gallons of water each month.

13. The garden is another area that uses a lot of water. Spreading a rich layer of mulch around all your plants will help to keep the moisture in.

14. Don't use a hose to clean your driveway and pathways - a broom is cheaper and gives you extra exercise!

Conserving water is your responsibility. If you make the effort to save water, you are doing something positive that can make life on the planet a little better for everyone, one gallon at a time.
