What are benefits of conserving water?
Environmentally friendly. Energy efficient. Conservation. These are all buzz terms and buzz words we hear all day, every day, and for good reason. The world has populated and we’re still depending on natural resources to get us through our days. While we’ve found ways to generate more power, and we’ve learned ways to be more friendly to the environment, water conservation hasn’t really been improved upon.
With over 70% of the earth being covered in water, why is water conservation a concern? A few support facts why water conservation is so important:
- 97% of all that water is salt water and isn’t suitable for consumption.
- With less than 3% of the water being fresh water, less than 1% of it is safe for consumption.
- The remaining fresh water is either in the atmosphere, underground, locked in glaciers or ice caps, or isn’t safe due to pollution.
So, as our population grows and the consumable water doesn’t , water conservation becomes important. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t drink the suggest eight 8 ounces glass a day, or never bathe again. It simple means we need to use our water wisely and take care of what safe water we have access to. Other reasons to conserve water and electricity both and get the full conserve water benefits include:
- Droughts and water shortage effects are minimized
- Minimize rising costs – including personal budgets.
- Preserve and protects the environment
- Keep water available for recreation.
- Build and keep communities beautiful and safe.
How can we save water in our daily life?
The importance of water conservation can’t be repeated and stressed enough. If you practice the following simple suggestions for conserving water in your daily routine, you may be surprised how much money and water you’ll save:
1. Shorten Your Shower Time
The average shower uses up to 17 gallons of water. Shorten that 15 minute shower to 5 minutes and you’ll save over 10 gallons of water. A long-standing battle is which is the most water efficiency, bath vs shower? Taking a bath uses up to 35 gallons of water, whereas you’d have to take a 10-minute shower with a standard showerhead to use that much water. Think of how much water you can save by replacing your current showerhead with a low-flow showerhead! Maybe enough to keep that 15 minute shower routine.
2. Install Low Flow Toilet
This water conversation measure has been encouraged for several years, and today, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a standard toilet. Most manufacturers have gone all low-flow to help minimize the largest sources of water waste. The standard toilet used up to 7 gallons per flush. Today, the toilets use up to 3 gallons per flush. Not only will that help the water conservation efforts, but it will save you money on the monthly water bill too.
3. Brushing Teeth, Shaving, Hand Washing
Okay, so 2020 and into 2021, we’re all about washing our hands, and we aren’t telling you to stop doing that by any means! However, to conserve water, faucets should be turned off as you brush your teeth, soap your hands, and shave. Just turning off the water while you brush your teen every day can save up over 5 gallons of water.
4. Washing Clothes and Dishes
Another step in water conservation is with your everyday household chores. As you wash the dishes, don’t leave the water running. When doing laundry, only wash full loads and your conserve water and electricity. The simple step of turning the faucet off as you wash dishes will save you over 13 gallons of water a day!
5. Fix the Drips, Leaks, and Running Toilets
Almost 20 gallons of water a day are wasted by running toilets, dripping faucets, and leaking pipes. Fix them, replace them, whatever is needed will be a huge step in water conservation and will save you money each month too!
Why is water efficiency important?
Like cancer, drought knows no boundaries. Anywhere and everywhere is susceptible to drought and water efficiency can minimize the effects of drought when it does happen.
How can we improve water efficiency?
In addition to the 5 things we’ve listed, some other water conservation steps you can take are:
- Don’t use a toilet for ashtray or trashcan.
- Put a water-filled plastic bottle in the toilet tank if you can’t replace with low-flow toilet.
- Only run the automatic dishwasher when full.
- Don’t run water while clean your vegetables.
- Keep a bottle of water in the refrigerator for drinking.
- Only water the grass when needed.
- Don’t let the sprinklers water the gutters and streets.
- Plant plants and trees that are drought-resistant.
- Layer mulch around your plants and trees.
- Clean the driveway, sidewalks and steps with a broom.
- Don’t let the water run when you wash your car.
What will happen if we don’t conserve water?
If we don’t take water conservation steps today, eventually we could have inadequate water supply with drastic consequences resulting. It will cause costs to increase and reduce our food supplies and cause health hazards. Need help with your home’s water efficiency? Call 314-348-7503 today!