Stopping water waste
is not difficult.
The average American uses 80-100 gallons of water a day, much of which is just waste. Stopping water waste saves money if your water is metered, and it helps the environment. It also helps reduce the incidence of water shortages in dry areas. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Don't leave faucets running. This is the first and most obvious way to cut water waste. Turn off faucets when cleaning and brushing your teeth, and wash dishes in a bowl or dishpan, not under running water.
2. Put a plastic cistern hippo or a weight-filled plastic bottle in your toilet tank. This decreases the amount of water used to flush the toilet. Not flushing every time saves more water.
3. Fix leaking faucets. One dripping faucet can waste hundreds of gallons of water a year.
4. Take short showers instead of baths. A five-minute shower uses a less water than a bath. Install a low-flow showerhead to further reduce water use.
5. Put full loads in the washing machine and use short cycles. Run the dishwasher only when full.
6. Use gray water and rain water in the garden. Gray water is water that has been used for something else, such as washing dishes or clothes, but is clean enough to reuse for purposes other than drinking. This is fine for watering your lawn, most plants and trees. Collect rain water in a barrel for your vegetables, which reduces runoff and captures water that otherwise would flow into the sewage system.
7. Replace old appliances with efficient models. Choose the most energy- and water-efficient model when the time comes to replace your washing machine or dishwasher.
Tags: water waste, gallons water, rain water, Stopping water, Stopping water waste, washing machine