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Indoors Water Conservation Tips
By saving water you can also save money on water and utility bills, sewer and septic costs, state and local taxes. Save energy by reducing the amount of hot water you use and by saving electricity used to pump water. Save the environment by helping ease the burden on water storage, purification, distribution and treatment facilities.
Water conservation is everyone's responsibility. Convince your family and friends to join in the fight against water waste.
Here are some tips:
Don't Use the Toilet as a Wastebasket
After squashing an itty bitty bug or blowing your nose with a tissue, don't waste buckets full of water flushing it away in the toilet! Trash it in a basket. Use an ashtray for cigarette butts. Flushing away tissue and other trash increases water consumption tremendously. Every toilet flush costs gallons of water, unless you have a newer water-model.
Checking the Toilet for Leaks
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Take a Bath
Soak your aching back in a tub 1/4 full of hot water instead of massaging it with a 20-minute blast of hot shower water. A partly-filled tub uses much less than a l-o-o-o-ng shower. Plug the tub while you shower to compare the level of water used then with the level used for a bath.
Take a Shower
If taking a shower, make sure it's a quick shower under 5 minutes. Showerheads pour out 5 to 10 gallons of water per minute. A short shower uses less water than a full tub bath. Time yourself. Shampoo while you shower. Suds up with the water turned off. Install a low-flow showerhead or a flow restrictor.
Using the Sink
Do not allow water to run continuously while brushing teeth, shaving, or washing in the sink. Run water only while rinsing or stopper the basin.
Drinking Water
Store drinking water in the refrigerator rather than letting the tap run every time you want a cool drink.
Handwashing Dishes
Handwashing dishes, pots and pans in a sudsy dishpan can save you around 30 gallons of water each time you don't wash them under running water. They'll be cleaner too. Heavily stained grills should be pre-soaked or sprayed, scrubbed and then quickly rinsed.
Running the Dishwasher
Dishwashers require 15 to 25 gallons in a complete cycle whether washing 2 dishes or a full load. When using an automatic dishwasher, wash only full loads. When buying an automatic dishwasher, look for a model that will save water and electricity.
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
Washing fruits and vegetables under running water? A lot is wasted down the drain that way. Brush or peel them clean in a pan of water or stopper the sink. Then give them a quick final rinse. Accumulate the peeling wastes and flush through the disposal with cold water all at one time or toss them on your compost heap to recycle.
Loading the Washing Machine
Fully load automatic washing machines before turning them on. Many washing machines use the same amount of water whether or not they are full, so try to wash full loads of laundry. Use partial load setting if available. Laundering only your favorite shirt and slacks on a full load setting uses 40 or more gallons of water plus the energy used.
Setting the Washing Machine Temperature
Wash clothes in warm water and rinse in cold water. When buying an automatic washing machine, look for a model that will save water and electricity.
Drippy Faucets
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Reusing Water
Reuse water whenever possible. Used water is often suitable for other purposes, even with no treatment or filtration. When maximum conservation is called for, make the most of any water before you let it go down the drain. How about quenching the thirst of a plant or pet with leftover water from abandoned drinks? Use rainwater for odd jobs.
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