California is facing another tough drought, especially towards the southern portion of the state. It is stated that 67 percent of California is in the top two levels of drought called extreme, and exceptional. With that being said, it is vital that we conserve as much water as possible during these dry hot seasons. Limiting our water usage will also result in more money in the bank and may also decrease the chance of water damage in your home. Here are a number of helpful water conservation tips that will save water and save you money:
Bathroom Tips
- Take shorter showers and replace your showerhead with an ultra-low-flow version. This easy technique can save up to 230 gallons a week!
- If you’re taking a shower, don’t waste the precious cold water while waiting for the temperature to heat up. Place a bucket under the flow of water so you can re-use it to water your plants, flushing your toilet, etc.
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and washing your hands. This simple task can save upwards of 3 gallons a day, which is 93 gallons a month!
- Plug the sink instead of running water to rinse off your razor. This can save around 300 gallons a month.
Kitchen Tips
- Hand wash dishes using the least amount of detergent needed. This process cuts down on rinsing and if you use a short blast of water to rinse, it can save up to 100 gallons a week!
- Run dishwashers only when it is completely full. 30 gallons of water can be saved weekly and decreases the chance of water damage from dishwashers.
- Don’t wait to use hot water to defrost frozen foods. Plan ahead and move the frozen food into the refrigerator overnight so it can thaw out. You may use the microwave if appropriate. This may save nearly 50 gallons a week!
- Rinse fruits and vegetables in a plugged sink or pan filled with water, instead of under a flowing water current. This can save 129 gallons a month!
Outdoor Tips
- Never hose down your driveway, patio, balcony, etc. This is a tremendous waste of water and sweeping with a broom always does the trick. Using a hose to wash away large areas like these, alone, use up to a 100 gallons a week (depending on surface area) and can also cause possible water damage in the surrounding areas.
- If you have a pool, use a cover to prevent evaporation. This keeps your pool cleaner and reduces the need to add chemicals.
- Water your lawn and landscaping only before dawn or after the sun sets, because this keeps from wasting water during peak heat temperatures due to evaporation. Not only does this protect your plants, but it saves water as well.
- Use a bucket to wash your car or take the car to a carwash that recycles its water. When washing the car at home, don’t let the hose constantly run.
If you live in an HOA community or apartment complex, your property management company should be taking these and other steps to conserve water on the property.
If all the helpful water conservation tips above were to take place, you may be saving thousands of gallons of water a month, and hundreds of dollars on your water bill (depending on family size), and a possible huge water damage problem in your house. This is not only keeping your wallet full but doing your part to help conserve the environment and decreasing the chance of water damage in your home. Please be responsible for your water usage, for we are fortunate to even have clean drinking water.
