10 Ways to Conserve Water at Home

25 Apr 10 Ways to Conserve Water at Home

There are several reasons to conserve water. Conserving water can help reduce water pollution in lakes and streams. It can help keep overflow from running into reservoirs. And on a more personal note, it can also help with your water bill each month. Get yourself on a water conservation plan now before the summer starts and you find yourself paying way too much for your water bill.

1. Check all your plumbing for leaks. Check both indoors and outdoor anywhere that water is present. Not only is this good for water conservation, but it can also prevent future water damage to your home or property.
2. Install low-flow showerheads and faucets. You may not realize how much water is wasted simply by turning the faucet on all the way. Installing low flow features can prevent all that waste by lowering the pressure in which the water comes out.
3. Use a rain barrel to catch water for reuse outside. Available at most home improvement centers, rain barrels can be very basic or quite ornamental.
4. Skip the bath and take short showers. Use an egg timer to keep showers short. Also, do not wait for the shower to get steaming hot before getting in. If you can get used to warm showers instead of hot ones, you can save even more water.
5. Do not keep the water running while brushing teeth or doing dishes. All that water just goes right down the drain. Wasted.
6. Only run the dishwasher or washing machine when they have full loads inside. Using a dishwasher or washing machine can actually be more water-efficient than washing by hand if they are run when completely full.
7. Plant drought-resistant plants and shrubs outside. Stop battling the elements with exotic thirsty plants. Talk with your local nursery keeper to find native local plants that will do well with less water.
8. Water your lawn and plants in the early morning. Before the sun comes up and dries out the water.
9. Use mulch around plants. Mulch will help retain the water you put on the plants.
10. Use a broom instead of the hose to clean outside walkways.

We all need water to sustain life. If everyone conserved water, there might just be enough to go around.

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