How to Reduce Your Water Consumption and Save Gallons

50 Ways to Save Water100 gallons a week.
Water is one of the most precious resources in this7. Turn the tap off when you brush your teeth. You
world, yet millions of gallons are wasted every singlecan save up to 18 litres each time.
day in the bathroom, kitchen and in the garden,8. Don't,catch them with a piece of paper and a glass
leading to soaring water costs.and put them outside.
You can make a massive difference just by making9. When washing your hands, turn off the water.
small changes to your lifestyle.Here are some simpleSave those gallons.
and cost-effective changes you can make right now10. Use a low-capacity flush toilet. If you cannot install
to reduce your water consumption, lower your waterone, try placing a weighted 2 litre bottle in your toilet
bill and help protect the environment:tank. You'll need to make sure that there are at least
In Your Kitchen3 gallons remaining in the tank so that your toilet will
flush properly.
1. Only boil as much water as you need in your11. Put food colouring in the toilet tank. If colour is in
kettle.This will save water as you won't always bethe bowl in 30 minutes, you've got a leak!
emptying it out to fill it with fresh water.In your Garden
2. Keep at least one filled jug of water in the fridge
instead of running the tap until its cold enough for1. Turn the hose off properly. A dripping nozzle
you.wastes a lot of water.
3. Don't use so many ice-cubes in your drink, one is2. Water lawns in the morning or late evening: less
enough. Using too many is a waste. You won't needevaporation, happier grass.
any if you keep your soft drinks in the fridge to chill.3. Add mulch such as bark, cedar chips, peat moss or
4. Dropped that ice cube? Throw it in a plant, not thegravel to your plants. It's great at holding in the
sink or the bin.moisture and saves hundreds of gallons a month.
5. Defrost food in the fridge or microwave, not under4. Weed regularly. They steal water intended for
running water.your plants. Don't let them get away with it!
6. Installing the kitchen. Don't waste water waiting for5. Don't plant grass on a steep incline. More water
it to get warm.washes away than actually gets to the grass.
7. Rinse fruits and veggies in a bowl or sink instead6. Sweep the driveway or garden path instead of
of under running water.hosing it down. Save about 80 gallons of water.
8. Use smaller pet bowls. Give your pet less water7. Don't water the concrete. Make sure the sprinkler
more often.is hitting only the plants. Don't sprinkle when it's
9. Rinse dishes in half a sink full of soapy water thenwindy!
place in dishwasher. Use leftover water to wash the8. Cut your grass higher.
sink.9. Changing the water in your fish bowl? Don't pour it
10. Washing-up liquid comes in more and moredown the sink, pour it on a plant. They'll love you for
concentrated forms these days; no need to useit.
more than a tiny drop for a full wash.10. Keep the water in your yard.
11. Soak pots and pans rather than holding them11. Fountains and water features waste more water
under running water while scraping.through evaporation than you might think.
12. Only ever use the dishwasher when it is full.12. Keep the use of running water toys to a
13. Never use the Rinse and Hold setting on yourminimum.
dishwasher. You can do this in the sink with only 5%13. Wash your pets on the grass; you'll water your
of the water.lawn and get Rover clean at the same time.
14. Stop that dripping tap. Save up to 140 gallons per14. Mark the water level of your pool. It shouldn't
week.evaporate more than a quarter inch a day. Use
15. Use a front loading washing machine. If notrubber or plastic sheeting to cover it.
possible then wash only full loads of clothes.15. Cover your spa with a plastic or rubber sheet.
16. Recycle. Recycling an aluminium can requires onlyPrevent water escaping through evaporation.
3% of the water needed to produce one.16. If you have to wash your car at home, use a
17. Forget about using the garbage disposal unit.bucket and sponge instead of a running hose.
Compost the waste, save water and keep your17. Some commercial car washes recycle their water
plants happy.and make more efficient use of water than you
18. Install an aerator. They are cheap and easy tocould; keep an eye out for them.
install and work by putting extra air bubbles into yourGeneral Tips
water flow, reducing the amount of water used while
still allowing high pressure.1. Turn the thermostat down. Air conditioning and
In Your Bathroomheating dehumidifies the air, burns more electricity
(and thus water) and dries out indoor plants faster.
1. Plug the bathtub before you turn on the water.2. Change the filter in your air conditioning every
Adjust the temperature as it fills. Don't fill the bathmonth. Help keep that evaporator working efficiently.
any more than halfway.3. Turn off water at the meter and note the reading.
2. Take showers instead of baths. On average,After an hour, see if it changed. If it did, call the
showers use 20 gallons versus the 50 gallons of aplumber: you have a leak.
bath.4. Know where the main shut-off valve is. If a pipe
3. Some can reduce water consumption by up tobursts, you'll be well prepared to save hundreds of
50%.gallons of water and more importantly, your house!
4. Take shorter showers. Spending 5 minutes a dayIt All Adds Up
less in there will save you about 1,000 gallons a year.The price of a gallon of water is £00.00454,
5. Turn off the water while you shampoo andmeaning you'll save a total of £4.54 per 1000
condition. That's 50 gallons a week you'll be saving.gallons saved.
6. Shave with water already in the sink. Save up to