Submitted by Jerry Butler
Everyone knows that water is vital to the survival of everything on the planet. While it might seem like the Earth has plenty of water — especially in the spring when flooding is often a problem — the fact is that less than one percent is available for human use. But the population and demand on freshwater resources continues to increase, even though the supply remains constant. This is why it’s important for everyone to be aware of their water usage and take steps to conserve water — reducing water waste will save you money on your utility bills too!
Following are some things you can do in your own home to reduce water use and get more from less:
Find and Fix Leaks — more than one trillion gallons of water go down the drain each year because of household leaks that are usually easy to fix.
- Look at your water meter before and after a two-hour period of no water use. If the number changes, there is likely a leak.
- Fix dripping pipes, fixtures, or hoses by using a wrench to twist and tighten the connections. If needed, pipe tape can help seal hose connections.
- Check washers and valves for persistent drips and replace any old or inefficient fixtures that cannot be easily repaired.
- Be sure to turn faucets and showers off tightly.
In the Bathroom — over half of all water use inside a home takes place in the bathroom.
- Turn off the tap while shaving or brushing teeth
- Showers use less water than baths, as long as you keep an eye on how long you’ve been lathering up!
- Consider replacing showerheads with a “WaterSense” labeled model to save water, energy, and money.
- Reveal a silent toilet leak by adding a few drops of food coloring to the tank and wait 15 minutes without flushing. If the water in the bowl changes color, your toilet has a leak, which can often be fixed by replacing a worn rubber flapper.
In the Kitchen — you can whip up a batch of big water savings.
- Plug up the sink or use a wash basin if washing dishes by hand.
- Use a dishwasher and make sure to only run full loads.
- You can often just scrape plates instead of rinsing before loading into the dishwasher.
- Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool.
- Add food wastes to your compost pile instead of using the garbage disposal.
In the Laundry Room — you can be clean and green
- Wash only full loads of laundry
- Match the water level to the size of the load.
In the Yard — 30 percent of the water used daily by households is devoted to outdoor water use. In the summer months, it can be as high as 70 percent.
- Create a water-smart landscape that is both beautiful and efficient.
- Use a drip system to water shrubs and trees directly into the roots.
- If you have an irrigation system, have a professional check it to be sure that it doesn’t have a leak and that it is watering at peak efficiency.
- Use a rain barrel to collect rainwater for watering gardens and landscapes
- Sweep driveways, sidewalks, and steps rather than hosing them off.
Small changes made at home can add up quickly. Protect the future of our nation’s water supply by making smart water choices. For more information and tips about how to save water, visit www.epa.gov/watersense.
For all your plumbing needs, you may contact Jerry Butler, owner of Americas Plumbing in Bloomington. He has over 16 years experience and provides 24-hour emergency service. His easy to remember phone number is 1-800-PLUMBING (1-800-758-6246), email 1800apci@gmail.com, or visit his website www.americasplumbing.net
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