There is a long list of great reasons to live in a desert setting. Such as warmer weather and less humidity. However, with those amazing benefits also comes some downfalls to choosing to live in a desert setting. One of the major disadvantages is the small amount of rainfall throughout the year. In turn, making water a scarce commodity and causes a real need to lower your water usage.
Today we’re going over some of the ways you can help lower your water usage throughout the day and keep that water bill down. Especially during the hotter summer months when water is harder to come by.
The Kitchen
1) Choose the dishwasher over hand washing
Dishwashers are designed to be most efficient while using the least amount of water.
2) Run full loads in the dishwasher
While it is designed to be most efficient per load, making sure you have a full load will reduce your water usage waste
3) Double-dip the dishes
If you don’t have a dishwasher or you have to wash dishes by hand, fill up one sink with soapy water and one with clean for rinsing. If you only have one sink, save all the rinsing until the end
4) Use the garbage disposal less
Putting things down your disposal uses extra water. Instead of rinsing off food into the disposal, scrape it off into the trash
5) Don’t dump things down the sink
Even if you don’t have a garbage disposal, don’t dump things like medicines, paints, or other pollutants down the drain. Not only does it take more water to get it down, but it also pollutes the water system and makes it harder to clean
6) Turn off the tap
When washing fruits and vegetables, fill up a bowl of water rather than letting the faucet run
7) Have a bottle of water in the fridge
Rather than having to wait for the water on tap to get cold each time, keep a bottle in the fridge
8) Use every drop
Save the water you use to rinse fruits and vegetables for other uses. Save the water you use to cook the pasta and potatoes in. Even save the rinse water from the dishes to clean other dishes later
The Bathroom
9) Turn off the tap
While brushing your teeth, washing your hands, washing your face, and shaving are perfect times to turn off the water
10) Switch to water-saving toilets
A regular toilet uses 5 or more gallons of water per flush. Switching to a low-flow toilet brings you down to 2.5 gallons per flush
11) Put a plastic bottle in your toilet tank
If switching toilets isn’t an option, try putting a bottle of water in the tank, held down with sand or rocks, and filled with water. Make sure to put it on the opposite side of the tank from the mechanical parts
12) Don’t throw trash in the toilet
Don’t use your toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket. Not only will you be using extra water per flush, but there’s also a chance of you clogging the pipes
13) Switch to a water-saving showerhead
When showering, you can expect to use 5 to 10 gallons of water per minute in the shower. Switching to a low-flow showerhead will lower that number to 2.5 gallons per minute
14) Take a shorter shower
When showering, limit the time to five minutes or less. Just enough time to wash and rinse off.
15) Take a bath
Filling the tub partially up will still use less water than taking a shower. If possible opt for taking a bath
16) Bring a bucket into the shower
Some of the biggest water waste comes from waiting for the water to heat. By putting a bucket under the faucet, you can collect that water and use it in other parts of the house. Like watering plants or flushing the toilet with the water
17) Switch to a water-saving faucet
Much like the showerhead, switching will help lower the excess waste of water. But will still have the pressure needed to your hands and face
The Laundry
18) Use a high-efficiency washer
Choosing a high-efficiency washer will overall use less water. If possible, opt for a front loader as those use less than a top loader
19) Only wash when necessary
There’s no reason to wash clothing after every use. Wait until they are actually dirty before running them through the wash
20) Full loads only
When running a load of laundry, be sure to get a full load in. This will save on the amount of water being wasted per cycle
Overall
21) Fix household leaks
Check your faucets, toilets, showers, and pipes. One day of leaking water can waste up to 20 gallons of water
22) Check for hidden leaks
Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes during that time you have a leak in your home
23) Use less water in the garden
Only water grass when needed and don’t overwater outdoor plants. And when picking plants for your landscape, choose those that need less water overall to survive
24) Hand water outdoor plants
By water the outdoor plants by hand, you are able to better control where the water is going as well as how much is being used
While this is in no way a complete list of all the things you can do to lower your water usage, it’s a great start. Let us know in the comments which ones you’ve implemented into your life and how it’s going.
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