Would it shock you to learn that the average American uses 170 gallons of water each day? That number considers everything from cooking and consuming water to the water used for bathing and flushing the toilet. But it is still a rather hefty amount of water. For most of us, we are very fortunate to have what seems like an endless supply of water at the turn of a handle on a tap. But others around the world are not as fortunate. And the more we can do to conserve water across America, the more opportunities there will be for those in less developed countries to enjoy the water they need simply to survive. Try just one or a few of the following tips to see how much you can reduce your water consumption to help conserve our most precious natural resource.
Tips For The Bathroom
Regardless of the song you hum to measure two minutes of brushing your teeth, the water in the sink does not need to be running. Every two minutes that the faucet runs, you are wasting almost 4.5 gallons of water. That translates to 9 gallons wasted each day, or nearly 3,300 gallons each year. Switching to a low-flow showerhead will also save at least a gallon of water per minute that you are showering. For the average person, that would be another 7 gallons of water saved each day.
If your home has older toilets from the 80s, you could be using up to 7 gallons per flush. Toilets from the 90s and after cut that number back to about 4 gallons per flush. But today’s low-flow toilets have that water consumption reduced to between 1.28 and 1.6 gallons per flush. So depending on the age of your home’s toilets, you could save roughly 2 to 5 gallons per flush with a new low-flow toilet.
Using Modern Conveniences Wisely
Using a dishwasher is significantly more water-conscious than washing dishes by hand. A typical Energy Star dishwasher can clean an entire load of dishes using only 5 gallons of water. But washing the same dishes in the sink, you will use at least 30 gallons of water. The secret is only to run a cycle when your dishwasher is full. This delivers the most economical use of both water and power.
When washing your clothes and linens, the average washing machine uses about 20 gallons per cycle. But an Energy Star rated machine will do the same job with only 15 gallons of water. Once again, to get the most significant benefit from these appliances, you need only operate them when they are fully loaded. Washing only a few items of clothing is a waste of water and power.
Saving Water Outside
In the warmer months, most homeowners use a lot more water. To eliminate overwatering of plants and your lawn, install a rain sensor to shut off automatic watering. If you hand water, use a rain gauge to know how much natural moisture your plants are getting, and only water as needed. A rain barrel installed under a downspout is another excellent way to supplement your plant’s needs and conserve water.
If you discover signs of a water leak inside your home or in your yard, call (530) 244-9727. Water leaks inside your home can create costly water damage and promote toxic black mold growth. The licensed plumbers at Steve Beaton Plumbing are here 24/7 to assist with any plumbing emergencies or schedule a repair visit in your home. We always provide a free price quote for the work and a complete warranty on parts and labor.