Though the majority of Americans have no problem accessing clean water when they need a drink, that is not true for the entire world. In fact, the current drought in California is leading to all kinds of questions about sustainability and long-term access to clean drinking water. Just 2.5% of the world’s water supply is freshwater, so conservation is important even when you don’t have to worry about whether or not you’ll get clean water from your faucet. Luckily, there are a handful of easy water conservation methods you can use in your home on a daily basis to do your part keeping the planet healthy.
Check for Leaks
Leaky faucets and pipes might be a nuisance when the incessant dripping keeps you up at night. However, they can also waste hundreds of gallons of water every year, if not more. Fixing leaks might take a bit of work, but will certainly cut down on wasted water. As an added bonus, it might help you lower monthly utility bills.
Install Efficient Appliances
After installing them, using efficient faucets, showerheads, dishwashers, and toilets is one of the easiest water conservation methods. They’ll allow you to perform all of the same tasks without changing any of routines while using far less water.
Ditch the Long Showers
Though you might enjoy taking the time to “Herbal in the shower, for another half an hour,” especially after a long day at work or hard gym session, it doesn’t take that long to get clean. By cutting down the amount of time you spend in the shower, you’ll drastically reduce the amount of water used in your home.
Be Responsible Watering Your Lawn
If you do feel the need to water your lawn to keep grass green and flowers colorful, then make sure to do so at the right time of day (in the morning when it is still cool outside) and try not to hit areas that don’t need it. That will allow you to keep your yard looking great without wasting too much water.
Turn the Faucet Off
During tasks like brushing your teeth and preparing veggies for dinner, lots of people will leave the faucet running. Though that might save a few seconds, you’d be surprised how much water you can save but turning the water off during those tasks, even if it is only for a short time.
Why is water conservation important? Quite simply, while many Americans might take for granted the fact that they can simply turn on the faucet when they’re thirst, it is impossible to know when a drought or increased demand could lead to water shortages. So consistently using water conservation methods in your home is always a good idea.
