There is so much water around us that most people believe it can ever run out. It falls from the sky. It comes up from the ground. Rivers of it cut through our lands and oceans of it separate our continents. It seems like there’s so much water on Earth that we’ll always have enough to drink. Unfortunately, most of the water we see around us is not drinkable. In fact, only 3% of the Earth’s water is suitable for drinking. With the planet’s growing population, it’s important to implement water conservation practices.
Don’t Let the Water Run
Like everything else, water conservation begins in the home. You might not think about it, but every time you let the water run while you’re washing your hands, brushing your teeth, or washing vegetables you’re wasting water. The simple act of shutting the faucet off can save gallons of water every day. Of course, it’s important to make sure your faucet shuts off completely. The water that drips out of a faucet is still wasted water.
Just remember that leaking faucets aren’t confined to your kitchen and bathroom. Every faucet around your house, including those in the basement and outdoors, has to be checked for drips. While you’re at it, be sure to check your pipes for leaks. By fixing any drips and leaks, not only are you going to be conserving water, but you’ll also be lowering your water bill.
Cook With Only the Water You Need
When you make vegetables for dinner, a great way to save on water is by cooking the vegetables in only the minimum amount of water that you need. Plus, this ensures you are keeping more of the valuable nutrients in the vegetables as they cook. An easy way to do this is by using the correct sized pan for the amount that you’re cooking. All that extra space in a too large pan is filled by water that’ll just go to waste. You’ll also be saving energy because you won’t have as much water to heat.
Modern Appliances are Very Water Efficient
When it comes to saving water, you need to check out your household appliances. Modern appliances come with energy and water usage ratings, so you know how much of each you are using. To get the most efficient use out of washers and dishwashers be sure to run them only when they are full. That way, you’re not wasting water on washing empty space. Now, you may think that hand washing your dishes uses less water than a dishwasher, but you’d be wrong. Today’s appliances are designed to get the most out of every drop of water they use.
A Great Lawn With Only a Little Water
When it comes to curb appeal, we all want a great looking lawn. All of that grass comes with a steep water cost, though, but it’s one you can minimize with some thought and planning. Upgrading your sprinkler system to an irrigation system can give you a great looking lawn with less water usage. In addition, by adding some drought resistant plants to your landscaping, you can cut down the watering you need to do during the hot summer months. Of course, you can also water your outdoor plants by using the water you used to wash your vegetables with.
Don’t Waste Water in the Summer
During the summer months, we spend more time outside than we do inside, and it’s important to remember our water conservation goals while we’re enjoying the summer. If you notice your patio is getting a little dirty, use a broom to clean it. You’ll get a great look with no wasted water. When you decide it’s time to wash your car, take it to a commercial car wash. Yes, it’ll cost a little more, but they have the tools to give your car a beautiful shine while using the least amount of water.
One of the best parts of the summer is swimming in your pool. Believe it or not, you can practice water conservation and still have a good swim. One way to do this is to not overfill your pool. This keeps water from being splashed out while you’re enjoying yourself. Using a pool cover slows down your pool’s evaporation rate, which is a great way to conserve water because you won’t have to top off your pool’s water level as often.
Governments and Corporations Also Have a Part to Play
It’s not just individuals who have to be mindful of water conservation. Governments and businesses also have a role to play. Fortunately, more and more localities are starting to put in place water conservation plans to make sure they have enough water for future generations. Some of these plans are small, such as restricting lawn watering during the summer, but some of them like the cadiz water project are enormous. No matter the size every step is important because every drop of water is important to our future.
