Water ConservationHow-to’s and Definition

Water covers 70 percent of the Earth, but only 3% of it is clean and suitable for human consumption.

Even if you live in an area with ample rainfall, using water requires energy to process, pump, heat, re-pump, and re-process it. Fortunately, there are ways to save water for everyone from certified germaphobes to compost-toilet-level conservationists. The average family of four uses 450 liters (120 gallons) of water a day, which is 164,000 liters (44,000 gallons) a year.

How to Save Water

1. Save water from your taps.

Turn the faucet/tap off while you are brushing your teeth, shaving, washing your hands, doing dishes, and so on. Turn the tap off when you shower, too. Get wet, then turn off the water while you soap up. Turn it back on for long enough to rinse. Look for a twist valve that installs behind your shower head to keep the water temperature where you set it while the water is off.

2. Take shorter showers

Take a timer, clock, or stopwatch into the bathroom with you and challenge yourself to cut down your showering time. You could even play music while in the shower and challenge yourself to cut down the number of songs it takes you. Shave outside the shower, or turn off the shower while you shave.

3. Use waste water or gray water from the bath, washing machines or dish washing on the garden

If possible, hook up a hose to the outlet on your machine to send the water outside onto your garden. To re-use bathwater use a hand-operated Syphon Pump. When hand-washing dishes, rinse the dishes into a container, and empty the container into your garden.

4. Make sure to use your toilet appropriately

Don't flush every time. Remember; "If it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down." Also, don't use your toilet as a trash can. Each time you flush you use up to 9 liters of clean water, which is a lot of unnecessary waste!

5. Wash full laundry or dish loads

Wait until you have a full load of clothes before you wash a load. Don't wash a load of clothes just because you want to wear the same pair of pants the next day! When washing your clothes be sure to use the economy mode and this will save you both water and electricity! This goes for dishwashers, too. Load the dishwasher full but not overly full.

6. Do less laundry

 For this, you and your family will have to produce less laundry, but you will save time and wear and tear on your fabrics, as well. Unless your clothes are obviously dirty or smell bad there is really no point in washing them.

7. Use your garbage disposal sparingly

Garbage disposals use a lot of water to get rid of the garbage, and are completely unnecessary. Collect solids in the trash can or a homemade compost bin rather than washing them down the sink.

8. Install a water meter

You might be very surprised to find out how much water you are actually using. By installing a water meter you can raise your awareness and consequently reduce your water intake.

9. Wash your vehicle on the lawn

Use a trigger nozzle hose and/or bucket. There are even waterless spray-and-wipe car wash products, but they tend to be costly.

10. Don't wash the driveway or sidewalk with a hose

Use a broom or rake, or leaf blower to remove dry matter and let the rain do the rest. Using a hose will only waste water and it won't hydrate anything.

Tips

Find out if there are any rebates for water-saving devices, depending on where you live. Some municipalities encourage water saving by offering rebates for things like low flow toilets. Others provide free or reduced cost low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators.

If there is a water shortage in your area, make sure you understand any restrictions or water rationing.

Dispose properly of hazardous materials, including cleaning supplies, motor oil, fluorescent light bulbs, batteries, pesticides, and fertilizers. While proper waste disposal does not directly conserve water, it is critical to preserving the safety and quality of the water supply that is available.

Educate your family members and housemates and enlist their assistance saving water, too.

Tips

Water coming out from the washing machine can be used for washing vehicle. The leftover water from fruits and vegetables can be used for gardening.

For simpler water collection, spray the shower water into a plastic milk or other jug while the shower is warming up. Use a minimum of a 1/2 gallon bottle.

Warnings

If you're collecting rainwater, be sure to mosquito-proof your collection system.

If you choose to reclaim gray water for garden use, make sure that any soaps or detergents you use are safe for that purpose. Don't use gray water for food plants.

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