Saving water is great for the environment. In other words, using water more efficiently has both economic and environmental benefits. Saving water is a good deed, because it’s an essential resource, we all need. We all must do our part to conserve water. When it comes to save water, a small change can have a big impact. There are many ways to conserve water, and they all start with us.
Here are some easy ways to save water at home:
In the kitchen
When it comes to save water in the kitchen, one of the best way is to install aerators. They reduce the water flow and stop you using so much water.
Instead of using running water, use a pan of water to wash or peel vegetables or fruits.
Don’t let the faucet run while you thaw meat or other frozen foods. This practice helps you to save water in kitchen.
When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run and for maximum water efficiency only turn on your dishwasher when it’s full.
When cooking, use only the required amount of water; this helps to retain more nutrients in the food and reduces the amount of water wasted when straining.
Do not put water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden.
Turn off taps tightly and if you have a leaking tap/faucet, fix it as quickly as possible because it will soon waste gallons of water.
Clean up a spill while it’s still wet. It is water efficient because you need to use less water.
Use water efficient products like tap aerators which can help to reduce water flow by 50%.
If you have decided to remodel your kitchen, use water-conserving kitchen products and technologies to save water.
Encourage your children to empty their water bottles onto your garden or pot plants instead of down the sink.
In the Bathroom
The easy way to save water in your bathroom is to install a water-efficient shower head and toilet cistern.
Install a water efficient shower head and take shorter shower instead of a bath so that you can save 11 litres of water.
Avoid flushing the toilet uselessly and install a high efficient dual flush toilet to save water up to 50% on every flush.
Turn off the taps while brushing your teeth, washing your hands or shaving.
Check for a leaky taps and toilet cisterns and it should be repaired immediately.
Install water efficient aerators on your taps to reduce water flow without affecting pressure.
Never flush garbage of any kind down the toilet: flush the toilet when disposing of sanitary waste.
While you wait for hot water, collect the running water and use it to water plants.
In the Garden
Best ways to save water in garden is mulching, collecting rainwater and planting drought-resisting plants.
Select smaller plants instead of bigger ones with right plant container so that you can save water in your garden Group plants with similar water needs in a common area would be a wise way to save water in garden.
Plant native or drought tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees in your garden.
Water plants and lawns only when necessary with right amount of water using watering cans which helps in minimize water wastage.
Mulch your garden regularly to lock in soil moisture. Because, mulching around plants is a great way to reduce water loss.
To save water in your yard/garden, use best water-efficient technique such as drip irrigation for your grasses, trees, shrubs and flowers to reduce evaporation.
Water your garden in early morning or late afternoon to reduce the water loss from evaporation.
Water plants with pre-used water, like water used for washing the vegetables, fruits.
Don’t water the lawn/garden on windy days because much of it will be lost through evaporation.
Don’t let the hose run and use a shut-off nozzle on your hose & use a water butt outside to collect rainwater for watering plants.
Don’t waste water on unhealthy or undesirable plants – instead detach or replace them.
Instead of washing your car in the driveway wash it over your lawn.
In the Laundry
Here are some tricks to conserve/save water in the laundry.
When shopping/replacing your washing machine, make sure to buy a water and energy efficient model to save sixteen(16) gallons per load (front loaders typically use a lot less water than top loaders).
When using your washing machine, make sure to use a full load every time but also avoid overloading.
Install water-efficient tapware or retrofit old tapware with aerators or flow control valves.
Don’t wash your clothes unless you feel they really need it and use the right amount of detergent per load.
If you are doing a medium-sized load of laundry, then only use a medium-sized amount of water.
Washing dark clothes in cold water saves water and energy, and helps your clothes retain their color.
Waste water from washing machine called gray water is relatively clean and safe to use for watering plants and lawns.