California has been in a drought for almost two decades, but hit a record with the first four months of 2022 ranking as the driest in recent history. Luckily, there are simple things you can incorporate into your daily routine that will help save water in a big way.
Modify Everyday Tasks
Brushing your teeth, showering, doing the dishes, throwing in a load of laundry… these are all things you do regularly. Being water conscious during these activities can help save water in the long run.
Doing the Dishes
If you have a dishwasher, use it. Washing a load of dishes by hand can use up to 27-gallons, where a dishwasher uses less than six. With most dishwashers, manufacturers also advise scraping remnants off of dishes and to not rinse, which saves water while getting the same results.
Brushing Your Teeth
A tip we have all heard, and probably seems like common sense, is worth a reminder. Turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth can save about 5-gallons of water every time you brush.
Cut Down on Shower Time
Don’t worry, you don’t need to take a one-minute shower to make a significant difference in your water usage. Shaving just 5-minutes off of your shower can save up to 20-gallons of water.
Run Full Laundry Load
It can be tempting to do a load of laundry with just a few items. But holding off and only running the washer when you have a full load can save more water than you might think. A washer load can use up to 45 gallons of water, depending on the model, so reducing the number of loads you do can add up to major water savings.
Leak Detection
Finding leaks in your home might sound like a daunting task, but it isn’t something you want to ignore. In fact, a simple leak can account for 10,000 gallons of water waste for a single household. The good news? Many leaks can be found and fixed easily, even if you aren’t a plumber.
Toilet Leaks
You can have a toilet leak even if you don’t hear it running. To check, there are leak detection tablets, or you can even use a few drops of food coloring. To do this you:
- Place the dye into the toilet tank.
- Don’t flush for at least 15-minutes.
- If any color shows up in the bowl, there is a leak.
It is usually just a simple fix, like a flapper or fill valve. These are both simple DIY projects.
Faucet or Shower Leaks
If a dripping faucet has been on your list of things to fix, putting it off can waste up to 500 gallons a year for a 10-drop per second leak. The fix might be simple, like tightening the connection, or adding pipe tape.
Even if a leak ends up being something you need a plumber to fix, taking a few minutes to check for leaks can save a huge amount on your water bill.
So, even taking small steps towards saving water can have big rewards.
