The word ‘green’ means different things to different people, but it is almost always synonymous with conservation and reducing waste. One of the areas that we can all reduce waste is in our daily water consumption. Through the use of outdated fixtures and poor water use habits most Americans end up using gallons more water than is actually necessary. In most areas, this wouldn’t be an issue, but over the last decade, we have seen an increase in droughts and pollution which puts serious pressure on the water supply. Let’s take a look at some of the steps you can take to go green on St. Patrick’s day and for the rest of the year.
Install New Fixtures
A large portion of the water that is wasted in your home is likely a result of inefficient or outdated fixtures. The next time you are getting ready for your day, try to think about every fixture you use throughout the morning. You will probably be surprised at how much water you are actually using. When starting to shop around for fixtures, be sure to look for terms like low-flow or high-efficiency as these will generally be products that will reduce your water usage. According to research into low-flow toilets, the average flush only uses 1.6 gallons, which is less than half of a traditional toilet which uses 3.5 gallons per flush.
Time Your Showers
Taking shorter showers will be great for your plumbing system overall, but it is especially beneficial during a drought. By allowing a maximum shower time of 10 - 15 minutes you will be saving gallons of water during every shower. Low-flow showerheads can also be installed that function much the same as a traditional showerhead but disperse the water in a much more efficient manner. If you would like to get even more serious about your water conservation you can even keep a couple of jars or cups at the bottom of the shower which you can use to water house plants.
Have Leaks Inspected Immediately
If you are losing water pressure in a specific area of the house, or you are noticing water damage anywhere get your plumbing system inspected right away. Not only can a leak cause damage inside your home, but it can also waste as much as 10 gallons of water per day. Leaks also include faucet drips and toilets that run as these can waste a large amount of water as well. If you are noticing a rise in your water costs, but you and your family’s usage habits are the same, then you may have a leak or inefficiency in the system that you may not even be aware of.
Benefits of Water Conservation
First and foremost, one of the main benefits of water conservation is reduced utility costs. Bringing water to a town or city, especially in an area that is generally dry is very costly. So as you conserve water and use better habits, you will likely have a noticeable drop in your monthly water bill. Water conservation also eases the amount of pressure that is put on municipal facilities like water treatment plants.