11 Ways to Reduce Water Waste in Your Life

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On average, American households waste about 10,000 gallons of water annually. Water is a precious resource, and we need to do everything we can to conserve it. This blog post will discuss 11 ways to reduce water waste in your home and office. Some of these methods are simple and easy to implement, while others may require a bit more effort. But no matter what, every little bit helps. Let’s get started!

The Facts About Water Waste

Before we jump into the ways that you can reduce water waste, let’s take a look at some facts about water waste in the United States:

• Every day, Americans use an average of 100 gallons of water.
• The average American household wastes more than 300 gallons of water each day.
• More than 90% of the water we use in our homes is for showering, laundry, and flushing toilets.
• One load of laundry can use about 40 gallons of water.
• A toilet can use up to 5 gallons of water per flush!

11 Ways to Reduce Water Waste

Now that we’ve looked at some facts about water waste, let’s discuss some ways you can reduce water consumption in your home. In addition to saving water, these tips will also help reduce your water bill!

1. Check your toilet for leaks

Toilets are a major water-wasting plumbing fixture. A leaky toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water daily! Take a look at some of our tips to check for leaky toilets.

2. Take shorter showers

Showers are a great way to relax, but they can use a lot of water. To reduce water waste, try taking shorter showers. You can also install low-flow showerheads, saving up to 7 gallons of water per minute!

3. Turn off the sink when brushing your teeth

Brushing your teeth is essential to your daily routine, but you don’t need to leave the water running the entire time. Turn it off while you’re scrubbing away, and only turn it back on when you’re ready to rinse.

4. Collect rainwater

Rainwater is an excellent way to water your plants and garden without tap water. You’ll need to install a rain barrel or cistern to collect rainwater. This will collect the water from your gutters and downspouts and store it later.

One word of caution: check your local laws before collecting rainwater, as some states restrict this practice. In Illinois, World Population Review says, “Rainwater harvesting is highly regulated in Illinois. Plumbing-Rainwater Systems Bill SB0038 states that collected rainwater can only be used for non-potable purposes, and rainwater-harvesting systems must be constructed in accordance with the Illinois Plumbing Code.” Essentially, collecting rainwater in Illinois is legal with some restrictions and cannot be used for drinking water. Learn more: http://ilrules.elaws.us/iac/t77_pt890 

5. Run full loads of dishes/laundry

Washing your clothes and dishes is essential, but they can use a lot of water. To reduce water waste, only run full loads of laundry and dishes. You can also invest in a water-efficient dishwasher, saving up to 15 gallons of water per load!

6. Install a dual flush toilet

Consider installing a dual flush toilet. This toilet has two buttons: one for a small flush (about 6 gallons) and one for a large flush (about 3 gallons). A dual flush toilet can be great if you have kids in the house, as they can use the smaller flush for liquid waste and the larger flush for solid waste.

Reduce Water Waste In Your Business

Just as there are ways to reduce water waste in your home, there are also ways to reduce water waste in your business. Here are a few ideas:

7. Educate employees

Educating your employees is one of the best ways to reduce water waste. Let them know about the importance of conserving water and how they can save water in their daily tasks.

8. Put up signs

Posting signs around the office is a great way to remind employees of your business’ water conservation initiatives and what they can do to help. You can put signs in common areas, such as the break room or bathrooms, to remind everyone to save water.

9. Install touchless faucets

Touchless faucets are a great way to reduce water waste in the office. Touchless faucets run for some time and turn off when they’re not in use, making them an excellent water-efficient option in your business.

10. Replace your dishwasher with a water-efficient model

If your office has a dishwasher, consider replacing it with a water-efficient model. These dishwashers use less water and energy, saving you money in the long run.

11. Use mulch for your landscaping

Mulch reduces the evaporation of water, keeping your plants healthy and moist for longer. It can also help reduce weeds, so you’ll need to water your plants less often.