10 Ways to save drinking water

It’s a ‘hot’ topic at the moment – drinking water. However, it should always be. Our way of using water not only affects the resource itself, but also our CO2 emission. Why is that? We use more energy for hot water, than we use for household lighting. On top of that, a lot of things can be improved within your household water supply system in terms of sealing, insulation, circulation and reservoirs. While a plumber or technician can help you save a lot of energy (and money), there are a lot of things YOU CAN DO TODAY, to start conserving drinking water.

#1 Shower instead of taking a bath

“I rarely take a bath” you might think now, however this also includes taking quick showers. Use a timer, if you know you like long showers – 5 minutes should be enough. Furthermore, during this time of the year, turn down the max heat to reduce hot water usage.

#2 Turn the water off, while you wash your hands or brush your teeth

You just need to break the old habit and establish a new one. While brushing your teeth, it’s best to use a tumbler, so you don’t have to let the water run.

#3 Use your toilet flush’s eco mode

If your toilet doesn’t have this option, it’s worth looking into upgrading. There are multiple options out there, which can literally save you gallons of water – up to 60% of what you are using now! A short-term option is using just a short flush for number one.

#4 Using a dishwasher (correctly), instead of washing your dishes by hand

In general, cleaning your dishes with a dishwasher is saving water and energy. This said, it’s only true, if you have a newer kind dishwasher, it’s loaded correctly and you are using the eco-mode.

#5 Use a bowl when you wash fruit or veggies

This is one of the easiest ways to save on clean water running down the drains. Once you’re done, you can even re-use the water to water your plants.

#6 Low-flow showerheads and flow restrictors

The biggest amount of warm water and about one third of the total amount of water in general is used in the bathroom. Low-flow shower heads are super easy to install. Ultimately, if you’re not sure, if your system is compatible with a flow restrictor, ask your plumber. Both options combined can save you up to 50% (!!) of water and about 25% of money for energy, not to mention CO2 emission.

#7 Use your washer wisely

Even though modern machines use a lot less water than their old counterparts, a full load is the best way to save water. If you’re still using an old washing machine, it’s well worth it looking into replacing it before it stops working. That said, a washer from the 90s or older is considered “old” and less efficient. A new washer can save you up to 7,000 Gallons or 25,000 Liter per year (!!)

#8 Fixing leaks promptly

If you notice a water leak, don’t waste any time to fix it. Even supposedly small leaks can cause a lot of water to leak within hours. To give you a rough number, slow drip from a leaking faucet can waste as much as 75 Liter or 20 Gallons of water a day; a leaky toilet can waste 750 Liter or 200 Gallons a day.

#9 Save rainwater and be water wise outside

The best way to water your lawn is rainwater. A water tank can help you collect enough water to do so during the summer. If you have to supplement with fresh water, make sure to water in the late evening or early morning.

According to the EPA, households that manually water with a hose typically use 33 percent less water outdoors than those that use an automatic irrigation system. If you live in an area where it’s generally very hard to keep a nice lawn, look into lawn alternatives for your yard and save the water all together.

#10 Share this information with friends and neighbors

Some topics need time and repetition to sink in, thus sharing valuable information and articles like this one here on your social media or via text, is worth more than anything else. Spread the word about how to save drinking water with your community.

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