No one wants to waste water.
Many of the western states have been suffering from drought for several years. Individuals, businesses, and government agencies are working diligently in cutting back water usage. There are hundreds of ways to conserve water.
Look at your family’s water use inside and outside of your home. Are you wasting water? Just a few small changes can add up over the year.
Faucets
Check every faucet in your home and make sure that none of them are leaking. Replace them if necessary, but stop the leaks. One drip does not seem like much, but over a year, it can amount to hundreds of gallons lost and a waste of money.
Showers
Reduce the amount of time spent in the shower. No matter how great a long hot shower may feel, it is wasting water.
Taps
Turn off the taps while doing certain tasks at the sink. If you are washing dishes by hand, then fill up one side of the sink with water to rinse the dishes. Turn off the tap while you are brushing your teeth. Keep cold water in the refrigerator so that you do not let tap water run to get a cold drink of water.
Lawns
Put mulch around your plants to help retain water. Use a watering can instead of a hose to water your plants and do it in the early morning or late afternoon. Collect rain water to water plants. Or, replace your lawn with artificial grass to avoid having to water the lawn at all.
Water Meters
Check your water meter. At a time when there will be no water used in your home, take a reading from your meter. Go back two hours later and take another reading. It should be the same. If not, then you are wasting water somewhere. By finding it and stopping it, you save money and energy.
There are countless ways to conserve water, but it depends on you and your concern. Even if you do not live in a drought area, conserving water saves energy and money. Educate your children on water conservation and make it a family project.
