10 Easy Ways to Save Water
October 15, 2009 by Karen Weideman
Filed under Green Home
Water is a natural resource that we should try to conserve. Here are some easy every day ways to use less water.
1) Take a 5 minute shower. If this is hard for you, consider getting a timer.
2) Make sure your shower head is one that is designed to reduce water usage.
3) Use your dishwasher. According to Consumer Reports, even if you are frugal with your water, an efficient dishwasher can use less water than washing dishes by hand.
4) Only use your dishwasher and washing machine for full loads.
5) Adjust the washing machine water level to match the amount of clothes. If you have a HE machine, there may be an automatic setting where the water level can adjust on its own.
6) Chill water in the refrigerator, rather than running the faucet for water to cool down.
7) Install aerators on your faucets, which will reduce the flow of water. You can usually purchase an aerator for just a few dollars.
8) To reduce water usage from your toilet, fill a small water bottle with sand or water and place inside the tank. Do not use a brick because the brick can dissolve and cause future problems.
9) Check toilets for leaks. The inside plumbing for a toilet is only a few dollars. A few years ago, our water bill kept rising every month. The water dept suggested that we put a packet of unsweetened Kool-Aid in the tank to see if it drained into the bowl. The color immediately drained into the bowl and we got our toilet fixed, which saved us a lot of money.
10) Shut off the faucet when shaving, brushing your teeth, and doing dishes.
What easy ways do you save water?
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If you are going to install a low flow faucet aerator you should know they come in various gallon per minute flow rates. Most low flow rates start at 2.2 gallons per minute and go all the way down to .5 gallons per minute. You can find these at any local hardware store.