Reduce Water Consumption
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Water is a key element of life. 75% of the human body is made up of water, and it covers a vast 70% of our planet. From showers to our food supply, water is vital to keeping our bodies and communities running.
Aside from saving on utility bills, there are countless reasons to protect our water supply. Freshwater is a limited resource. Desalination, or removing salt from seawater, is a temporary fix that isn’t sustainable. While this process creates freshwater, it relies on energy-intensive systems that use fossil fuels and threaten marine life. With the rising effects of climate change, there’s never been a more critical time to reduce water consumption.
Here are a few of the many ways you and your family can preserve Earth’s priceless water supply:
Don’t hesitate to use the dishwasher
With how long a dishwasher typically runs, you may believe an hour-long cleaning wastes a ton of water. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that dishwashers use half as much water as washing by hand. This switch saves a typical household an average of 5,000 gallons annually.
Prevent and fix faucet leaks
A small leak can be a big problem. One leaky sink faucet can waste up to 20 gallons of water daily. To check for leaks, dry the surrounding area before turning on the faucet. Pooling water is a sign that you’re facing a leak, and it’s time to get it fixed. Aside from calling a plumber or making a maintenance request, you can repair faucets by following helpful online tutorials.
Save water while showering
Aside from taking shorter showers and avoiding heating them for too long, adjusting your bathing makes an impact. When you turn on the shower only to rinse, you can decrease the average 20 to 40 gallons of water used in a four-minute shower. This tip is great to use when brushing your teeth, too!
There are many ways to reduce water consumption, and every small change is a step toward protecting our planet’s most abundant compound for life. Encourage friends and family to consider these changes, and check out the EPA’s guide to start saving.
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