Water Conservation in the Kitchen

As part of a global effort to save the planet, there is a water conservation movement gaining momentum. If you’re an environmentally conscious homeowner, there are many things you can do in your kitchen to reduce your water consumption. With clean and safe water a scarcity, it’s the responsibility of everyone to reduce water waste, and save the freshwater supply.

What is Water Conservation

Although we cannot live without water, this precious and finite natural resource is in short supply. With droughts and water pollution adding to the problem, all parts of the world are struggling to maintain an adequate supply of drinkable water. Water conservation is the reduction of water usage in all areas of our lives, so we have enough water for our needs now and also for the future.

Water conservation includes activities and strategies that anyone can do, even children. These water saving methods don’t take a lot of time or cost much money. It’s simply a matter of thinking about how you use water. By making small changes in your daily routine, you will reduce your water consumption.

Why We Need to Conserve Water

Water conservation is essential for the planet. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, about 71% of the planet is water, but the amount of drinkable water is less than 1%.

As the world’s population continues to grow at a fast pace, it’s becoming even more important to conserve the remaining clean water we have. Fortunately, we can extend the usage of drinkable water if everyone commits to making minor changes in how they use water. EarthEasy.com states that by following water saving tips in your home, you can reduce your water consumption by as much as 35%.

On average, one person uses 70 gallons of water each day. A 35% reduction saves 25 gallons each day. Water conservation is also cost-effective, eco-friendly, and efficient.

There are many benefits to homeowners who conserve water. For one, you reduce your monthly water and energy bills. According to EarthEasy.com, “Conserving water can also extend the life of your septic system by reducing soil saturation, and reducing any pollution due to leaks.”

Conserving water in your home also helps the surrounding communities. By reducing water usage, you help to prevent water pollution in the nearby watersheds, rivers and lakes. Excess water usage overloads the city’s sewer system causing wastes and sewage to end up in the rivers and lakes.

How to Conserve Water in the Kitchen

There are many ways to conserve water if you use water wisely.

Energy Efficient Appliances and Fixtures

• Replace old dishwashers with Energy Star rated or WaterSense labeled. These new appliances save water, energy and money.
• Upgrade kitchen fixtures with WaterSense labeled models to ensure water savings.
• Buy low-flow kitchen faucets. They have around one-third the volume of conventional faucets.
• Place aerators on all kitchen faucets. It’s a very cheap way to reduce water flow.
• Attach a sprayer to a kitchen faucet. The sprayer “distributes a smaller amount of water to a larger area.”
• Turn off kitchen faucets tightly to avoid leaks.

Drinking Water

• Drink tap water rather than bottled water. The manufacturing process for bottled water uses about 1.5 gallons of water per bottle.
• If you want cold water to drink, place a pitcher in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run. Another option is to purchase a refrigerator that dispenses cold water.

Cooking Food

• Change your cooking habits so you use less water.
• Plan meals and defrost frozen food in the refrigerator overnight instead of running water over it. You can also fill the sink with water and submerge the food.
• Find recipes for one-pot or one-skillet meals so you reduce the number of dishes you have to clean.
• Rinse off fruits and vegetables in a large bowl of water instead of running water. Alternatively, you can clean the produce with a vegetable brush.
• Boil pasta and vegetables using as little water as possible. Less water improves the flavor, and maintains more nutrients.
• Put your vegetable steamer on top of the pot you’re using to boil food to cut down on water usage.
• Save the water from boiling food for other dishes such as soups or making rice. You can also use this water to water your plants after it cools down.

Cleaning Dishes and the Kitchen

• Rinse off dishes in a sink half-filled with water instead of running water over the plates. Another choice is to scrape off plates instead of rinsing them
• Use the garbage disposal less often. It needs water to operate properly. Instead, consider composting food waste.
• Wash dishes in dishwasher instead of hand washing them. You save far more water.
• Use a scrub brush or sponge with dishwashing liquid, if washing dishes by hand. After all dishes are washed, fill the sink with water to rinse off all the dishes.
• Use the dishwasher only with a full load, and choose the fastest wash setting.
• Sweep the floor regularly instead of mopping it. Spot clean the counters, stoves and floors to reduce water usage.

What Else You Can Do to Conserve Water

Participate in World Water Day, which occurs on March 22nd each year. This global event recognizes that “750 million citizens do not have clean drinking water,” reports WaterUseItWisely.com. On this day use as little water as possible for your needs.

You can also educate yourself about the global water crisis by watching documentaries, or reading books, articles or blogs. And, finally, you can donate money to nonprofit organizations to affect change.

You can visit the website of your local water utility company. These companies often have tips for consumers on saving water and money. Ask if your utility company has a water conservation program available. Many companies also offer their customers rebates on water-efficient appliances such as dishwasher, washing machines, and water heaters. You can also find water rebates online.

Most people don’t realize how much water they waste on a daily basis. By making changes to how you use water in the kitchen, you can conserve gallons of water daily, and this helps you save money, helps your community, and protects the planet.

 

Sources:

http://www.commercialcapitaltraining.com/business-resources/business-ideas/water-conservation-business-opportunities/
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/ws/wtrcnsv.html
http://www.gracelinks.org/436/water-saving-tips-in-the-kitchen
http://eartheasy.com/live_water_saving.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_conservation
https://www3.epa.gov/watersense/
https://www.energystar.gov/products/appliances/dishwashers
http://water.usgs.gov/edu/earthhowmuch.html

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