Fresh water is a critical and finite natural resource – even if it may seem like we have water in abundance.
Water scarcity has become a reality in the US; as one of the fastest growing metro areas in the region, Atlanta is considered a high-risk area for water shortage – much of it is due to the population increase in the city and lack of access to clean water sources.
One of the best ways to combat this issue is to get home water delivery in Atlanta; this will ensure that you conserve your tap water supply and have access to clean, drinking water at all times.
Additionally, cutting back on water usage is wise and not just good for the environment. Conserving water also means that you can also seriously cut down on your utility expenses.
Here are some ways of conserving your water supply – both indoors and outdoors.
Tips for Conserving Water at Home
Conserving water, or reducing your water footprint, can seem like a hard task. While cost effective ways of saving water include upgrading to efficient fixtures or fixing leaky pipes, there are simpler ways to reduce your water usage. Here are some ideas.
Don’t Keep Your Tap Open When Brushing
Did you know that 75% of water used indoors is in the bathroom? Simple habits like turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can help conserve water.
Reuse Your Refills
Instead of washing your glass each time you drink, try to just refill the same used glass. This will also reduce the effort you have to put in washing it over and over again.
Fix Any Leaks
Stay attentive to any leaks; even a small leak can waste up 50 or more gallons per day. Check and repair if leaks exist in the toilets or your kitchen. Make sure you do not neglect minor leaks – fix it yourself or ask a plumber, but don’t put them off or you’ll see the impact show up on your water bills.
Use A Glass Bottle Instead of Plastic
With a home water delivery service that provides water in eco-friendly glass bottles, you can decrease use of plastics and cut down on tap water usage. Additionally, glass water bottles not only preserve the taste of water – which means you won’t be throwing out the water which has been sitting in your bottle for a while – but they are also 100% recyclable.
Cut Down On Your Shower Time
It’s easiest to cut down on your shower time, or if you’re really dedicated, you could keep the tap off while you are soaping up, and turn it on to rinse. According to research, old showerheads release up to 5 gallons of water per minute, while water-saving showerheads use 2 gallons per minute. Just imagine how much water you can save by upgrading to new showerheads, not opening the tap to its full pressure, or taking shorter baths.
Close the Tap When Soaping The Dishes
Likewise, when you are washing dishes, you can conserve water by soaking all of the dishes first, soaping them, and then rinsing them all in one go.
Don’t Keep Your Tap Open When Washing Hands
Similar to when you’re brushing your teeth, while you are scrubbing your hands or washing your face, keep the tap closed to conserve a few gallons of water.
Fill Up Your Dishwasher
Do not use your dishwasher until it’s fully loaded – there’s no point in using a dishwasher at half capacity. It’s really just a more efficient way to get your dishes done without wasting water or your time spent loading and unloading the dishwasher.
Wash Fruits and Vegetables in A Bowl
Instead of letting the tap water run over your fresh produce, fill a bowl of water, and wash your fruits or veggies in it. You can use the same water on your plants – consider it a two in one!
Wash Clothes Once A Week
You can wait and do your laundry, once you have enough clothes to fill your machine. With washers that use the same amount of water regardless of the load, it’s better to do laundry once a week.
Tips for Conserving Water Outdoors
The U.S Environmental Protection Agency reports that an average American household uses about 30% of water for watering, filling swimming pools, washing cars, or more – this makes up about 9 billion gallons each day. Around summers, outdoor water usage increases to 70%, making this the best time to start conserving your outdoor water usage.
Water Your Lawn Before Dawn
As hot temperatures during the day will evaporate water before it fully seeps down to the roots, water your lawn between 10pm to 6am. This will eliminate the need for watering your lawn again.
Don’t Water Your Lawn Daily
Instead of watering your lawn frequently, water it deep. You can rest assured your lawn will stay healthy and green if you soak it well, rather than sprinkling a little amount daily.
Ditch The Hose
When you have to clean your driveway and sidewalk, use a broom or electric blower instead of a hose. Typically, a hose uses about 5 to 10 gallons per minute, which means you can save a lot of water by using another tool. For stains and spills, you can spray a bit of water to scrub them away.
While these water conserving tips do not cost money, you can certainly benefit from utility cut-downs and help eliminate watersheds by following them. Minor changes in your habits can help you save hundreds of gallons of water over time – remember, every drop counts! Another way to save on your utility bills is by using Lipsey for all of your household water needs. Our fresh mountain spring water is bottled at the source and delivered right to your doorstep. Contact us today to begin your free, no-obligation, two-week trial!