Top 5 Ways to Save Water at Home
Less than 3 percent of the Earth’s water is fresh water and much of that is inaccessible to people. Additionally, at least 36 states anticipate experiencing water shortages by 2013, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. So, if you could easily save water and save money at the same time, why wouldn’t you?
The water conservation experts at Kohler — a leader in kitchen and bath design and technology, and partner in the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program — share their top five tips to save water at home.
- Clean Green
Pay attention to the size of your load of laundry and adjust the water level of your washing machine accordingly. Use a broom to sweep debris away rather than cleaning your driveway, steps or sidewalk with a hose. Make sure you run your dishwasher when it’s fully loaded to maximize the number of dishes cleaned during a cycle. - Upgrade and Repair
When it’s time to refresh and remodel the bathroom, replace your older, less-efficient toilet with a high-efficiency toilet that can save up to 16,500 gallons of water per year. Swap out your old showerhead for a low-flow or water-conserving showerhead to save more than 7,700 gallons of water per year. If a bathroom remodel isn’t in your plans, make sure to fix leaky faucets right away and install water-saving aerators that can save hundreds of gallons of water per year. - Gardens That Sip, Not Guzzle
Water your garden early in the morning or after dusk to prevent evaporation, and avoid watering on windy days. Landscape with native and low-water plants. For indoor plants, use leftover water instead of dumping a half-empty glass of drinking water down the drain. - Short Showers
Limit the time spent in the shower to 10 minutes or less and turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving to prevent excess water from going down the drain. - Water Accountability
Make sure your home doesn’t have hidden water leaks. Do a quick check by reading your water meter before you leave for a few hours (as long as the house is empty when you’re gone). If your meter doesn’t have the same reading when you return, you probably have a leak.
For additional water (and money) saving tips and to find out how water savvy you are, visit SaveWaterAmerica.com. For each visitor who takes the water savings quiz, Kohler will donate $1 of product to Habitat for Humanity.