Are you searching for new ideas on how to save water?
An average person uses around 80 to 100 gallons of water daily, and with millions doing that, our chances of water preservation are running low. Since we can’t produce natural water, we can help preserve what is already there by making some adjustments to our lifestyle.
We often waste this precious resource on tasks around the house that we don’t pay much attention to. But once we make some changes to our routine, we can help save more water and contribute towards sustainable living.
Six Easy to Implement Ways Your Household Can Save Water
“If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.” ~Loran Eisely
Here are some ways you can save water around your house:
1. Install Low-Flow Shower Heads
Who doesn’t love long relaxing showers after a tiring and exhausting day? But according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), showers are one of the biggest sources of water wastage and emit at least 2.1 gallons of water per minute.
One way to reduce water wastage through showers is by using low-flow showerheads. Unlike the 2.1 gallons that average showerheads lay to waste, low-flow showerheads emit 1.8 gallons of water per minute and reduce water wastage significantly. Another way to reduce water wastage is by using tubs to bathe. Many Asian countries use tubs and baskets to shower, and it is a great way to save water in your home.
2. Touchless Motion Sensing Faucets Can Help Save Water
Touchless motion sensor faucets are great for saving water and help maintain good hygiene around the house. They work by detecting motion and automatically turn off when you’re not washing directly.
This helps save water between tasks like rubbing soap, brushing teeth, or washing dishes we often leave the water on. Touchless kitchen faucets also help maintain hygiene in the kitchen because it’s one of the busiest places in a home and needs to be germ-free for the sake of your family’s health! So, by using motion-sensing faucets, not only are you saving yourself a great deal of water but also introducing style and a touch of luxury to your house.
3. Repurpose Greywater
Recently, toilets in Japan hit the news for being eco-friendly because they have washing sinks mounted on the toilets and use that soapy water for flushing. This is a great way of saving water. Just imagine the amount of water that goes into flushing! You can also repurpose your greywater from the shower, bath, or sink by storing it in a bucket and use it to water plants, your lawn, or wash your car. Simple tasks like this take up a lot of water, and we usually don’t pay attention to it, but we can change that by making such small changes in our lifestyle.
4. Compost, Don’t Dispose
The garbage disposal that comes built-in with the sink is undoubtedly one of the most convenient ways of getting rid of all those food scraps at the end of the day, but it actually wastes a lot of water because it requires a steady stream of water while running. To preserve water, you can start composting your fruit and vegetable scraps, which will also help you create nutrient-rich soil, and who knows, it might get you into gardening!
5. Upgrade Appliances
Washing machines and dishwashers are absolutely necessary to keep smelly clothes and dirty dishes away. But the amount of water they use is often not in our control, which can lead to a significant amount of waste. But water-efficient appliances are available now that will help you save water and energy, simultaneously cutting low on those electricity bills! Energy-efficient appliances are practical and modern, a perfect upgrade for your home.
6. Optimize Cooking Water
Cooking is another task that often uses an unnecessary amount of water. Whether we’re boiling vegetables or cooking rice and pasta, we don’t usually pay attention to how water-efficient we’re being in the hurry to cook food. But no worries, we have you covered. If you’re boiling vegetables, you can steam them instead and use less water than boiling requires. You can also use the water you used to boil your vegetables into cooking rice or pasta. Indeed, you will not only helps save water but also give your food a rich flavor.
The Takeaway: You Can Save Water with These Six Small Changes
“We never know the worth of water until the well is dry.” ~Thomas Fuller
Some of these adjustments to your lifestyle may not come easy at first. But you will eventually get used to it and help contribute towards sustainable living. Using water efficiently will not only be great for the environment but will also help cut down your living costs and reduce the bills significantly!
On her downtime, Shashika enjoys container gardening on her rooftop and shares her bounty with friends and neighbors.
