Simple Actions to Save Water

 

One Change leads to another. Here is a list of simple actions to help you conserve water in every aspect of your life from the bathroom to outside in the garden. These simple actions will help you protect the environment and save money.

Fix your leaky toilet (www.thisbluedot.ca)

Your toilet tank may be leaking and you don’t even know it? The most common leaks are silently occurring between the tank and the bowl. If there is a leak, you could be wasting up to 550 litres (145 gallons) of water every day and paying $250 per year (more depending on where you live) on your water bill. You can use a dye tablet available from your local hardware store to detect a leak. Usually the problem is an old flapper–which is easy to replace.

Install a low-flow shower head

Your average shower head uses 15 to 20 litres (approximately 4 to 5 gallons) of water per minute. A low-flow shower head can cut that by 50-70%. Inexpensive and easy to install, a low-flow showerhead will quickly pay for itself.

Insulate your water pipes

You’ll get hot water faster and therefore avoid wasting water while it heats up—and you’ll save energy too. This can save you about 2% on your heating bill. Make sure not to place any pipe-wrap insulation within 15 cm (6 in) of exhaust vents at the top of water heaters and never insulate plastic pipes.

Turn off the tap when you are brushing your teeth

Leaving the tap running can waste up to 10 litres (approximately 0.26 gallons) of water per minute. Just turn it on when you need it and stop pouring money down the drain.

Keep a pitcher of water in your fridge

Instead of letting the tap run until the water cools, keep a pitcher of water in your fridge. It will also help keep your fridge keep cool because the water acts like a reservoir for cold temperatures. If you don’t have room in your fridge for a pitcher, just drop a couple of ice cubes into a glass.

Fix that leaky faucet

It’s so easy! Those little drips don’t seem like a big waste but if you factor in that your faucet is dripping 24 hours a day, 7 days a week it really does matter. Leaky faucets that drip at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 11,000 litres (3,000 gallons) of water each year. Don’t forget about outdoor faucets. Check out this nifty drip calculator to see how much water you are actually wasting.

Use a front-loading washing machine

Front-loading washing machines use about 40% less water per load and 50% less energy than top-loading washers because they use gravity to help do the work. They are also quieter, easier on your cloths and use less energy. If you’re buying a new washer, look for an ENERGY STAR qualified front-loader.

Get a rain barrel

By directing your gutters to a rain barrel and using the collected water to water your lawn or garden, you will not only be conserving a valuable resource, but also saving money on your water bill. It’s estimated that lawn and garden watering make up nearly 40% of total household water use during the summer months. It’s better for your plants too…they don’t like the cold water that comes out of your garden hose.

Clean your driveway with a broom

Spraying your driveway, deck and patio with a hose wastes a lot of water and is far less efficient than using a broom. You can waste up to 300 litres (about 80 gallons) of water when you clean your driveway with a hose. Sweeping is good exercise and can help to improve your flexibility too!

Get a car wash

It’s actually greener and uses less water to go through a car wash than washing your car yourself. Try a car wash that recycles its water and uses eco-friendly cleaners.