How to Conserve Water in the Home

It is important that the water that we drink is free of pollution and toxins, or we can do irreparable harm by introducing substances to our bodies that could make us very ill.

How to Conserve Water in the Home

Conserving water in the home is important because it conservation helps prevent water pollution in nearby rivers lakes, and other water sources. The smaller the amount of water flowing through municipal sewer systems the better, as overloaded systems can result in untreated sewage flowing into lakes and rivers. Household water conservation will help prevent this happening.

Some easy ways to conserve water in your home are:

Check for Leaks: A leaking tap or pipe can waste hundreds of litres of water per day, so check for leaks regularly and have them fixed immediately you find one.
Toilets: Do not use the toilet as a waste bin or ashtray, as needless flushing wastes several litres of water. Also check your toilet septic tank for leaks. Placing a plastic bottle filled with water, a brick or an inch of two of pebbles inside your toilet tank will save in excess of ten litres of water per day.
Showers: Long showers can waste needless water, as much as ten litres per minute. Install a water-saving shower head and low-flow faucet aerator which will use less than two litres of water per minute. Taking shorter showers will also save a lot of water; a four-minute shower uses around 20 to 40 litres of water.
Close the Tap: Do not leave the tap running while you brush your teeth; wet your brush and turn the water off until you need to rinse. Wash vegetables in a bowl of water instead of under a running tap. Rinse your razor in a small amount of water in the sink instead of under a running tap.
Dishwashers and Washing Machines: Wait until you have a full load before using your washing machine or dishwasher for optimal water conservation.
Drinking Water: Running a tap until the water cools off enough for drinking is a huge waste of water. Rather keep a bottle of water in the fridge for drinking purposes or get yourself a water cooler that will give you instant access to chilled water. Some water coolers also provide tepid and hot water.