Water Conservation in the Bathroom

If you’re becoming more environmentally aware, then you know that conserving water is one of the best things you can do for the planet. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one of the biggest water wasters is the bathroom. By taking steps to reduce your water usage in the bathroom, you save on your water and energy bills while saving water for future generations.

Why Water Conservation is Important

Most people realize that the Earth is mostly water. There are oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, and streams. Although this abundance of water may seem like there is enough to go around, the truth is that only 1 percent of all these waterways is drinkable. This means that the remaining 70 percent of the Earth’s water supply is not safe or clean to drink. With water pollution and droughts on the increase throughout the world, this tiny percentage of clean water is in great demand because people need water to live. An additional burden on this 1 percent is that the world’s population continues to increase. If drastic measures are not taken, there won’t be enough water for people to live.

Water conservation is essential if we are to keep the planet and its inhabitants with an adequate supply of water. Fortunately, there are simple things that everyone can do on a daily basis to conserve water. Even doing the simplest of things, such as turning off running water, can save gallons of water every day in your home.

The Benefits of Water Conservation for Homeowners

By using water wisely, and reducing water waste when you use the bathroom, you’ll see many benefits that not only help you,  but the environment as well. The small changes you make in your life can possibly reduce your water consumption by as much as 35 percent reports EarthEasy.com.

Here are some of the wonderful benefits of conserving water in the bathroom:

• lowers water bills every month
• extends the life of your septic system
• reduces energy bills

What are WaterSense or Energy Star Labels?

In an effort to help encourage consumers to purchase energy-efficient appliances, the government created the Energy Star labeling system. This system rates appliances for their energy efficiency. When it’s time to replace an old appliance that uses a lot of water, such as a dishwasher or a washing machine, you should buy a new model that is Energy Star rated.

Another important label to look for is the WaterSense label. This label indicates that an appliance is not only energy efficient but also conserves water. By using Energy Star and/or WaterSense labels appliances, you reduce your water and energy costs.

How to Reduce Water Usage

People use a great deal of water when taking a bath or shower. The toilet alone accounts for about 30 percent of indoor water usage, reports the EPA. You probably don’t even realize how often you let water run from a bathroom faucet, which is an incredible waste of drinkable water. There are many things you can do to stay clean while also lowering your water usage.

In the Shower:

• Limit every shower to around 10 minutes.
• Place a waterproof timer in the shower to monitor your time.
• Install a low flow shower head that saves water.
• Choose a shower head that also has dual-controls so you can turn off water or reduce flow while shampooing.
• Take a navy shower: get wet, turn off water, lather up, and then turn on water to rinse off.
• Place a bucket under the shower head to collect water as you wait for it to heat up, and then use the water to clean the bathroom,water plants, or wash the car.
• Consider brushing your teeth while in the shower.

In the Bathtub:

• Take showers instead of baths.
• Remove the tub from the bathroom, and install a larger shower stall.
• Buy a smaller tub.
• Reduce the number of baths taken weekly.
• Use less water when filling the tub for a bath.

At the Sink:

• Install an Energy Star or WaterSense aerator or faucet to reduce water flow.
• Purchase an aerator with multiple flow rate settings to use reduced water depending on what you want to do at the sink.
• Don’t let water run in sink while you brush your teeth.
• Fill sink with water before you shave instead of letting water run.
• Don’t let water run as you wash your face.

The Toilet

• Replace older toilets with high efficiency models that are low-flow ones that uses less water.
• Don’t use the toilet as a garbage can because it wastes water and can clog pipes.
• Consider a dual-flush toilet that has two settings: one for light flushes, the other for heavier jobs.

Other Water Saving Tips

• Check for hidden pipe leaks, dripping faucets, and running toilets. These types of leaks are one of the major reasons for water waste in the bathroom. If leaks aren’t repaired, you are wasting gallons of water every day, and increasing your water bill. Call a plumber as soon as you notice a problem.

• Take part in environmental events such as World Water Day on March 22, 2016. This day highlights the fact that 750 million people don’t have clean water for drinking, preparing meals or washing their hands. You can also learn more about the clean water scarcity by reading books and articles.

• Visit you local water utility website for tips on saving water. You can also find information about water rebates for purchasing energy efficient and water efficient dishwashers, water heaters, and washing machines.

• Harvest rainwater to use in your home. According to com, you can collect rainwater in tanks and then use a “rain catchment system” to connect the tanks to areas of your home, such as the toilet, which doesn’t require drinkable water for flushing.

Most people waste a lot of water in the bathroom on a daily basis. However, with a few changes in your daily habits, you can save water, energy, and money. By becoming more aware of how you use and waste water in the bathroom, you can make the changes needed to become a water conservationist and save the planet’s most precious natural resource.

 

Sources:

http://www.benjaminfranklinplumbing.com/blog/8-bathroom-water-conservation-tips

12 Tips for Saving Water in the Kitchen

http://eartheasy.com/live_water_saving.htm

https://www3.epa.gov/watersense/

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-conserve-water-in-your-bathroom.html

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