The earth is made of 76 percent water, but only 1 percent of it is available for consumption. This meager 1 percent was enough to sustain the world for millennia, but with the rapid use and wastage of water today, humanity can only wait for the day when water becomes more precious than gold. That day may not be too far in the future as, according to the World Wildlife Fund, about 25 percent of the world’s population will be living in areas with water scarcity.
In fact, many people in different countries have not known what it’s like to live with an ample supply of clean water for most of their lives. And the situation will only get worse if people continue to waste water at such a rapid pace. Now, more than ever, every person should start saving water. And where better to start than at home?
Install Low-Flow Aerators on Faucets
Standard faucets use 2.2 gallons of water per minute. But if you install a low-flow aerator to your faucet, you can bring that down to 0.5 gallons. A low-flow aerator helps you save water by adding air into the water flow. It also reduces splashing by guiding the water into a straight, even stream.
If your current faucets don’t have a built-in low-flow aerator, you can easily buy an aerator from a hardware store and install it on your faucets. A good low-flow aerator can cost between $5 to $10, which isn’t much, considering the long-term savings it will bring.
Opt for a Low-Flow Showerhead
Showers are notorious for using up gallons and gallons of water. Thirty minutes in the shower can use 75 gallons of water. Multiply the number to how many persons use the shower in the household, and you’ll have hundreds or even more.
Depending on the type of you use, one showerhead can consume 2.5 to 4.0 gallons of water. If you switch to a low-flow showerhead, you can save between 0.5 to 2.0 gallons for every minute you use the shower. Imagine how much water will be saved if everyone used low-flow showerheads.
Typically, low-flow showerheads cost from $8 to $50, depending on the brand and the features included in the model.
Replace Old Toilet
Old toilets are also major culprits in water wastage at home. One flush in an old toilet can use 3.5 to 7.0 gallons of water, which is too much for one use. A person uses the toilet seven times a day on average. That’s a maximum of 49 gallons of water per person for one day.
Save water, and replace your old toilet with a water-efficient model. Water-efficient toilets only use about 1.0 to 1.3 gallons of water per flush, a huge improvement to old toilets. Consider choosing an upflush toilet, like the SaniPlus toilet, to lessen the work of installing a new toilet.
The upflush system allows you to connect to your existing sewage system or septic tank without breaking ground because of the external discharge tank and pipe. Plus, the built-in macerating pump grinds wastewater, facilitating a smoother flow from the toilet to the sewage system.
Fix Leaks Immediately
Every year, household leaks are responsible for 900 billion gallons of water wasted in the United States alone. Most leaks may be small, but they waste a lot of water and can quickly snowball into bigger problems when left unattended for long.
Moreover, leaks mean there’s moisture, and more moisture results in molding. Dampness and moisture can have adverse effects on you and your family’s health, especially that of your children, older adults, and sick, allergic, or asthmatic patients.
Check your faucets and pipes daily to notice leaks immediately. You can also insulate your plumbing pipes to help prevent leaks, as well as save energy on your heating.
Use a High-Efficiency Washer
Older washer models don’t only use more water but also consume more energy than new high-efficiency washers do. An old washer can use up to 40 gallons of water per load, but now, high-efficiency models wash you dirty laundry clean using only 13 gallons or even less. Plus, if you get an energy-saving washer, you also save energy per wash.
A washer is an essential tool at home, especially if you have a big family. Having a high-efficiency washer can save you money not just on your water bills but also on your energy bills. While you’re at it, why not choose a high-efficiency dishwasher as well?
Change Wasteful Habits
Nothing is more effective in saving water than changing bad water habits. Use a cup for brushing your teeth instead of leaving the tap on. And when washing your hands, turn off the faucet while scrubbing, and only turn it on when you need to rinse the soap out.
Shorten your showers, and lessen the frequency of soaking in the tub. Instead of throwing bathwater away, you can use it to clean your yard or garage. Load your dishwasher only when it’s full, but if you wash dishes on the sink, double-dip dishes to save water.
Changing your water habit, together with switching to water-efficient fixtures and appliances, can do a lot to conserve water in your household.
Final Word
Water scarcity is not just a problem of several provinces without access to clean water; it’s a global problem. Even in developed countries, like the United States, several cities are facing a water crisis, which will only get worse if the trend of wasting water continues. One household may not solve the problem, but if every household or person in the world does what they can to save water, it can do a lot to help.
