5 Ways You Can Save Water at Home

Not only is saving water important for keeping your utility costs as low as possible, but it’s also a really important part of the fight against climate change.

Most of the water on the planet is saltwater, which humans can’t drink and which can’t be used to water crops or for animals to drink. We are reliant on rainfall for a lot of our water needs; however, climate change means that there are increased droughts across the planet and that water is becoming scarce.

You can do your part to save water by making a few small changes at home.

Fix leaks

Keeping on top of things like leaky faucets, kettles, and pipes is a really important part of saving water.

According to USGS, just one leaky faucet leaking at a rate of one drip per minute could waste 34 gallons over the course of a year. If you have multiple leaky faucets and appliances, then this number is multiplied.

Plus, if your faucet is leaking, it is likely to be because there is something inside it that has worn out and isn’t working as well as it used to. Common culprits are washers and o-rings. If the leak is caused by something that has worn out, it isn’t going to get better by itself; in fact, it’s likely to get worse over time!

To save yourself water, money and inconvenience, if you notice any leaks in your home it’s a really good idea to call a plumber as soon as possible.

Hard water plays a vital role in your water consumption. Hard water contains high minerals with magnesium and calcium carbonates, which make you spend more water to clean the clothes, wash dishes, clean your body, and so on. Moreover, it can lead you to the plumbing issue, eventually, you pay more money on both your energy bill and maintenance fee.

Fill your dishwasher

Dishwashers use a lot less water than washing your dishes by hand in the sink. A good quality dishwasher will clean a load full of plates, pans, and crockery using only three gallons of water. The same load of dishes done by hand in the sink would take around 27 gallons of water.

To make the most out of your dishwasher, be sure that you don’t rinse plates before putting them in, as this just wastes water. It’s also important to wait until you have a full load before running the dishwasher.

Do full loads of laundry

Washing machines use between 15 and 30 gallons of water per load. If you want to make the most of the water being used by your washing machine, then it’s important to make sure that you are always washing full loads. If you do need to do a smaller load, be sure to select the appropriate program on your machine.

Showers rather than baths

A five-minute shower will use around 10 to 15 gallons of water. By comparison, a bath can use up to 70 gallons of water. If you want to save water, it makes sense to shower rather than a bath and to keep your showers as short as possible.

Water thoughtful gardening

You can manage your garden in such a way that you use the least possible amount of water. For example, choosing plants that are native to the area you live in means that you won’t have to do as much additional watering.

You can also be mindful of when you water your plants. Try to water them either in the morning or at dusk, avoiding the heat of the middle of the day as the water is likely to evaporate before the plants can benefit from it. You can also try keeping your lawn a little longer, as this enables it to retain water better.