30 Easy Ways Your Family Can Conserve Water

The Bureau of Water Supply provides about one billion gallons of water a day to Chicago and neighboring communities. One billion gallons a day, just for one area-imagine how much water is used throughout the globe in just one day!

With these statistics in front of us, it’s easy to see why it’s important to conserve water. Water is essential to human, animal, and plant life, and it’s easy to use up more of our planet’s water than can be naturally replenished. But how does conserving water benefit you directly? Simple. It helps the environment around you a essential to human, animal, and plant life, and it’s easy to use up more of our planet’s water than can be naturally replenished. But how does conserving water benefit you directly? Simple. It helps the environment around you and also saves your family money.

Conserving water-and teaching your children to do so-is easier than you think. Here are 30 ways to conserve water around your house.

In the Restroom

The restroom may be one of the smallest rooms in your house, but just think how many water fixtures it contains-your sink, toilet, and shower, for example. By making smart decisions with your water use in the restroom, you can conserve a significant amount of water throughout your home.

1.Invest in a low-flush toilet, which uses about 3 times fewer gallons of water per flush.

2.Use low-flow showerheads to lower water use with each shower. A low-flow showerhead can save a family of four about 20,000 gallons of water per year!

3.Turn off the faucet while shaving or brushing your teeth.

4.Take short showers; you can even turn off the water while lathering or shampooing.

5.Turn off the faucet tightly after each use and fix dripping problems as soon as possible.

6.When washing your hands, turn off water while you lather your hands.

In the Kitchen

Running water while you rinse your dishes may seem like second nature. But did you know that there’s a better way to wash? Take a few simple steps to make water saving easy in the kitchen.

7. Run the dishwasher only when it is full.

8. When you wash dishes by hand, fill the sink with water rather than running the faucet.

9. Choose water-efficient faucets or install an inexpensive faucet aerator in your sink to reduce water use. (Don’t worry; these devices still ensure a strong water flow.)

10. Use an air-cooled (rather than water-cooled) refrigerator.

11. Wash fruits and vegetables in a pan of water rather than running water over them in the sink.

12. While you wait for water to heat up, collect running water to water your plants. Or, install an instant (tankless) water heater.

13. Choose the right size of pan for cooking so you don’t boil excess water.

14. Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the fridge.

15. Thaw food in the fridge instead of in water.

16. Use the garbage disposal sparingly.

In the Laundry Room

One family can create a lot of dirty laundry, which means lots of loads for your washer. There are a couple of things you can do to ensure you save water every time you wash your clothes.

17. Adjust water levels to match the load size (a smaller load uses less water).

18. Choose a washing machine with an energy-star rating, as it’s specially built to save water.

In Your Yard

There are lots of ways you can reduce water use on your lawn and still make sure your plants are green and flourishing. (Hint: over watering kills more plants than under watering does.)

19. If possible, water your lawn only every three days in the summer and every five days in the early autumn.

20. Choose plants that have low-water needs.

21. Schedule irrigation for the early morning or evening (irrigation during the day is often wasted through evaporation).

22. Use low-precipitation sprinklers targeted only to needed areas.

23. Check hoses and faucets for leaks.

24 .Don’t overfill your swimming pool.

25. Wash your car or pet on the lawn so you water your grass at the same time.

26. Use a hose nozzle to wash your car, which allows for lower water flow.

27. Water your plants less frequently (plants can die from overwatering).

28. Use a broom (not a hose) to clean your driveway and sidewalk.

29. Equip your pool with a recirculating pump.

30. Monitor your water bill and see what else you can do to conserve water throughout your home.

Get Started

How can you implement these ideas in your home and family? Consider giving each of your children a water saving chart. Every time they take an extra step to conserve water, they can add a checkmark to the chart. When they get a certain number of checks, they can receive a reward

What about for parents? The lower cost on your water bill should be enough to make you smile, but you can also reward yourself by buying new plants for your yard or a new energy-efficient appliance.

You don’t have to join an environmental group to help save the planet or save on your water bill.

Remember, little steps lead to big results, and following these 30 tips every day can conserve tons of water in the long run!