Water is without a doubt, one of the most vital ingredients of the world. Yet, our reliance on water takes it away from where it’s needed, such as lakes, oceans and the water cycle itself. As a result, every little bit of water you can save counts.
This is commonly known as water dependency and refers to the reliance we have on tap water in our homes. As such, finding alternative means can help relieve dependency in your area and reduce stress on the environment. Here are 5 such water saving tips to help live a greener life.
1. Reuse Water
When tap water first comes out the tap, it’s clean and usable for anything, from drinking to washing the dishes. After this, however, it often goes straight down the drain when it could be used for additional measures. For example, how clean does water need to be to flush the toilet? The short answer is that it doesn’t.
Sink and bath water can always be used in the toilet, saving a great deal of water dependency. Think about every flush that happens every day in your house and you’ll see just how much water you’ll be saving this way!
This is something we’re starting to see on a larger scale. The recent droughts in California have proven how important it is to safe water and use it responsibly. There, reusing water is being considered for large scale deployment, so why not do the same in your own home?
2. Life Style Choices
Not all water usage comes straight from the tap. The way we live our lives also influence our direct water responsibilities. A recent calculator created by the Grace Communications Foundation, showcases just how influential our lifestyle choices can be.
Calculators such as this are an easy way to highlight areas you weren’t originally aware of. Perhaps it’s time to start switching where or how you shop. Does anyone even consider how much water their car uses? It may not appear on your bill, but it effects the environment all the same.
3. Practical Fixes
Sometimes we use water excessively because we’re lazy. Want a cold beer on a hot day? Don’t use an ice or water bucket outside when the fridge is less than a minute’s walk away. Likewise, don’t use running water to defrost food – just get the food out earlier, or even leave it in the fridge. Similarly, turn the tap off when brushing your teeth, as you only need a little water.
These changes takes a while to get used to but like many of the ideas on this list, they save a little at a time. This eventually turns into larger benefits over time, ensuring you’re doing the right thing for the planet.
4. Showers, Not Baths
Similarly, taking a shower can help reduce the amount of water needed. Baths are big to fill up and are only really used once. A shower, on the other hand, uses much less water for the very same purpose. Over time, this will vastly cut back to water usage in your home over the weeks, months and years.
Of course, this only works well if you take quick showers. An hour long shower isn’t going to save as much as a quick 15-minute wash. For added comfort, you can install a pressure pump or shower to make the most of the water – it’s still better than running several baths a week! As an additional bonus, power or pressure showers have various additional benefits, including increasing home values.
5. Recycle Rainwater
Rather than going straight to the tap, is there not another source of water you can be using? There are a variety of ways to use rain water and a variety of environmentally friendly ways to collect and harvest it.
Rain water can be used to water plants in your garden, wash clothes or even pump garden fountains and other ornaments. With a rainwater tank pump and filter, it can even be cleaned to a consumable state, replacing nearly all the major uses of tap water in your home.
A filter is a big investment but for starters; try using rainwater to take care of your garden. Once you notice the savings on your water bill, you will have extra motivation to do more, and thereby, helping the environment!
These are just a few broad ideas, but they highlight a lot of ways to save water. They also highlight areas of water consumption you might not have considered in too much depth. Whatever you do, do something to play your part and help the environment. Water is a precious resource and it shouldn’t be taken for granted, even when it flows freely out of the facet!