Fresh water is far from an unlimited natural resource in our environment, but it’s a critical one. An ample amount of water of good quality is essential for public health and hygiene. More than 1 billion people on our planet don’t have access to safe drinking water, so they get their supply from unprotected wells, canals, lakes, or rivers. And from that number, approximately 2 million people die every year from preventable water related disease like typhoid and cholera. Those of us who have ample supply owe it to those who don’t to practice water conservation.
In the Yard
During hot weather, outdoor water use can account for up to half of your home’s total consumption. Lawn watering is a major culprit here and recent studies have shown that as much as 50% of this is wasteful. As a general rule to help with water conservation and the environment, just a little over an inch of water per week should be enough. You should also set your sprinklers to water the lawn and not the sidewalks and driveways.
You can be environmentally friendly when you’re planting as well. Add two to four inches of peat or some other compost to your garden. The deeper the soil the better it will retain moisture.
Using a running hose to wash your car also wastes a lot of water. A bucket with a sponge and a trigger nozzle on that hose is the better way to go. If you own a pool, cover it when it’s not being used. This cuts evaporation and keeps the water cleaner and warmer.
Inside The House
It’s even possible to help the environment from right inside your kitchen. Installing a low-flow faucet aerator can cut water use in half, and soaking pots and pans before washing is another solid water conservation practice. Make sure the dishwasher is full before you run a cycle.
The bathroom accounts for over 50% of the water used inside your home. Make sure to do a regular check around faucets and toilets for leaks, and consider replacing older, more inefficient toilets made prior to the 1980s. A low-flow showerhead will save up to half of the water used there. Insulating hot water pipes in the laundry room means you won’t waste water waiting for it to heat up, and replacing older washer and dryers with more energy efficient ones is a big help in doing your part for the environment.
