Green Home Tips: How to Make Sure You Are Not Wasting Water

There is no doubt in the fact that we, as human beings, waste lots of our planet’s resources; and this is why we currently have so many environmental problems. But one resource that is more important than any other, is definitely water. By not learning how to stop wasting water, we’re putting our planet’s future supplies in danger. Therefore, it’s very important to raise awareness and discuss what you, as an individual, are able to do regarding this huge issue.

In this article, we’ll list five of the most effective green home tips on how to make sure you are not wasting water, from everyday life hacks to the use of a more technological approach.

Water Leaks

Just to give you a first impression of what it means to waste water, think about the fact that every year, people in America waste one trillion gallons of water because of leaky kitchen and bathroom faucets. And that’s not an American issue; it occurs all over the world! The reason why this keeps on happening is due to people not really thinking about how much waste a leaky faucet can cause. And the fix, generally speaking, is an easy one. Get a wrench and start looking for those leaks; it’s the first step you can take in order to help stop the waste.

Developing Habits

Some of the first steps that you’ll have to take in order to make sure that you are not wasting water, might also be the most complicated. And the reason why we’re saying that, is because you’ll need to start developing certain habits. For example, you need to stop taking long showers, because many people see showers as an opportunity to relax or to practice singing. And from time to time it’s ok to do that, but making a habit out of it can result in hundreds of gallons of wasted water per day.

Some other aspects that you might want to work on, include – not using your toilet as a trash can, not letting the water run while you shampoo or when you brush your teeth, or starting your dishwasher only when it’s full. All of these small changes, combined, can have a huge impact on the quantity of water that you save around the house.

Harvest Water

The first thing that you can do, is to harvest rainwater. Nobody says that you have to go and wash your hair with rainwater, even though that’s how they used to do it back in the day. But what you can do, is to place a rain barrel under one of the downspouts around your house and use that water for the irrigation system.

Another thing that you can start doing, is to harvest greywater. That means that you can get the water from your sink or your dishwasher for example, and use it in order to do other chores. All you have to do is to get a greywater system for recycling and you’re guaranteed to end up with a much lower water bill.

The Technological Approach

When you decide that you want to take this step, it means that you are truly invested in the cause, and you’re willing to spend money in order to save water around the house. But don’t be alarmed, because we’re talking about small investments that could really have a great impact; like buying aerators for your faucets or water saving shower heads that can significantly reduce the water volume. Another thing that you can do, is to invest in a low-flow toilet; a change that can potentially save you gallons of water per day. And if you’re not yet convinced, consider that applying these changes around the house, can actually cut in half one household’s daily use of water.

Water Meters

You could think about this tip as more of a psychological one. If you install a water meter around the house, you’ll automatically develop a habit to look at it a few times a week, or maybe even more often than that. Being able to actually see how much water you’re consuming, can give you the boost you need in order to start saving more. After all, nobody likes a huge water bill. Also, by having one of these water meters, you can find out if you pay your utility provider what you’re actually consuming.

I know it might seem like we’re not running out of water all of the sudden; and you’re definitely right to think so. But consider that by saving water, you actually reduce the energy use, save a good amount of money yourself and you help with shaping a better future and a better environment for our children. Water is our most precious resource, so think twice before wasting so much of it, when it’s so easy to start becoming an Earth-friendly human being.

While it might seem like we won’t be running out of water any time soon, consider the fact that the amount of useable fresh water us humans can access is a staggeringly low 0.3 percent. This is compared to 99.7 that is found in oceans, soils, icecaps, and floating about in the atmosphere. With such figures in mind, conserving water should be right at the top of your list.

Author Bio: Sofia Lockhart is a passionate writer from Sydney. She also enjoys decorating houses and engaging in home renovation projects. That is why she loves sharing her experience and advice with other people through her writing. Besides this, she loves technology and gadgets which can help us get through a busy workday.  

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