9 Simple Ways to Conserve Water

It’s estimated that the average American uses 80 to 100 gallons of water each day. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average U.S. family can waste up to 180 gallons of water per week from leaks alone! In stark contrast, the average daily use per person in developing countries is 5.3 gallons of water. While our clean drinking water is readily available at the turn of a faucet, two billion people globally live with severe water scarcity.

The good news is that small changes to our everyday habits can go a long way toward reducing our water footprint, lowering water bills, and reducing environmental impact.

Here are 9 ways to reduce your water usage at home.

1. Know your usage. The average American family uses over 300 gallons of water per day at home. Do you know how much your household uses? Check your water bills from the past 12 months to get a clear picture of your monthly consumption, looking for months during which your household uses less or more water.
2. Look for leaks. As mentioned above, leaks account for 180 gallons of wasted water per week in the average home – that’s almost 10,000 gallons per year! Inspect toilets, faucets, showers, outdoor hoses, and exposed plumbing pipes for signs of leaks and repair right away.
3. Update fixtures. A standard shower head uses approximately 5 gallons of water per minute. Replacing it with a low-flow model can cut that number in half. While it may cost more up front, a low-flow fixture will save money in the long run.
4. Install a low-flow toilet. An older toiler uses 3.5 gallons of water per flush whereas a low-flow toilet uses just 1.6 gallons. Even if an upgrade is not in the cards right now, make sure your toilet isn’t wasting water. Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank; if the color shows up in the bowl, you have a leak.
5. Collect and use leftover water. Gallons upon gallons of water go to waste every day. Invest in a rain barrel (if your neighborhood permits) to catch rainwater from gutters and downspouts. Use the water for watering plants and cleaning your home’s exterior. Place a bucket under your shower head or tub faucet to collect running water as it heats up. Use it to water plants, mop floors, wash the car, etc.
6. Ditch the plastic. Instead of purchasing costly bottled water, invest in a refillable stainless-steel bottle that will keep your water cold all day long. And instead of waiting for the tap water to run cold, keep a pitcher of water in the fridge for cold refreshment whenever you need it.
7. Rinse produce in a bowl. Fill two bowls with water – one for washing produce and the other for rinsing. Then use the leftover water for watering indoor or outdoor plants.
8. Reduce garbage disposal usage. A garbage disposal requires running water to grind and flush food down the drain. Save water and energy by composting food scraps which will provide your garden with nutritious matter.
9. Shop smarter. Think back to what you learned in elementary school: reduce, reuse, recycle. Before purchasing a new item which likely requires water as part of it’s production and distribution process, ask yourself these questions: Do I really need it? Is it something I can borrow instead? Once I’m done with it, can it be recycled or donated?

At Best Choice Plumbers, we have even more water-saving solutions up our sleeves. From water leak detection and repair to low-flow toilet and fixture installation, we can help you reduce your environment impact without sacrificing an ounce of the comfort and convenience you depend on. Contact us today for all your plumbing needs.