How to Save Water

Why is it Important to Save Water?

This summer, as you are filling the swimming pool, watering the lawn, and adding ice cubes to your drink, you may realize how much water we actually use every day. This consumption affects the supply of fresh, usable water that is available for our use, and it affects our water bill every month. If you want to cut down on your water use either to help the environment or to save money (or both), try some of these tips.

• 1. When you wash your dishes by hand, don’t leave the water running while you rinse. Instead, fill one side of the sink with soapy water, and the other side with rinse water.
• 2. Move your lawn sprinklers. Make sure that the sprinklers are watering the grass or garden, and not the sidewalks or house.
• 3. Fill a pitcher of water and keep it in the fridge instead of waiting for the water to run cold at the sink to fill your glass.
• 4. Monitor your water bill. If you see an increase in your usage, check for plumbing leaks.
• 5. Fill a bowl or the sink with water to wash your produce instead of washing it under running water. When you are done, use the water to water your plants.
• 6. Replace your shower head with a low-flow or water-efficient model. This can save a whopping 750 gallons of water every month.
• 7. When the time comes to purchase new appliances, choose energy-efficient models, particularly those that allow you to customize your load size or cycle. This will cut down on the water that is used to wash your dishes or clothes.
• 8. Cut just one to two minutes off your shower time each day. Over the course of the month, this can save 150 gallons of water.
• 9. If your toilet is getting older, replace it with a low-flow, water-efficient new toilet. You might even consider a dual-flush toilet. This type of toilet gives you two flushing options; one that uses less water for liquid waste, and another that uses more water for solid waste.
• 10. When you fill the bathtub, close the stopper before you turn the water on instead of waiting until the temperature is right to close the stopper. You can adjust the temperature while the tub is filling and still get a comfortable bath without wasting water.
• 11. Start each day with one glass or water bottle designated for use by each member of the family. Then use only that glass for the whole day. This will cut down on the number of dishes that you have to wash, and it will save water.
• 12. Check your toilet for leaks by adding food coloring to the toilet tank. If the food coloring appears in the toilet bowl, you have a leak. Call a plumber to fix it.
• 13. Have an instant water heater installed at your kitchen sink. This will give you immediate hot water for your dishwasher and sink so that you don’t have to let the water run while you wait for the water to heat up. It will make your dishwasher more effective, too.
• 14. Fix dripping faucets and leaking toilets right away. A running toilet can use two gallons of water every minute.

These suggestions can help you to save water and money. For helping installing new appliances or repairing leaks in your home, call Scott English Plumbing. We can help you to make sure that your home is as efficient as possible so that you save water and money.