Wasteful water use is both costly and risky, as population growth and changing climate make clean, safe water an increasingly scarce resource. It is also linked to wasteful energy use – As much as 1/4 to 1/2 of the electricity used by most U.S. cities is consumed by municipal water and waste-water treatment facilities.
Clean water is essential for life and it’s increasingly rare in many parts of the world. Here in the U.S. we possess one of the largest fresh water reserves, The Great Lakes. It is our responsibility not to mention a wise investment for future generations to take care of this precious resource.
The following are a few ideas to make sure your home doesn’t waste our water supply:
- Low-Flow Faucets & Shower Heads – a simple 1.5 gallon per minute (gpm) faucet aerator (cost is $2.00) can save a lot of water. As well as a shower head (typically around $15.00) that uses 1.5 gpm to save water in the shower. These are easy to install and they provide an pleasant experience in the shower.
- Watch for Leaks – A leaky pipe, faucet or toilet can cost hundreds of dollars in wasted water. To test a toilet for a leak, pour food coloring in the toilet tank and thew watch to see if the colored water move into the toilet bowl.
- Water Catching – An easy way to capture rainwater for all your needs is with a rain barrel. For around $75 these rain barrels collect water by being connected directly to the downspout. They conserve water to help your plants thrive by giving them chlorine-free rain water, provide water for car-washing, and help manage storm water by putting more water back into the ground instead of into the sewers. Another variation of this is to plant a “rain garden” . A rain garden is a garden that can absorb and filter large amounts of water. So that you can purify rain water as part of your landscape instead of sending it into the sewage system.
- Dual-Flush Toilets – A dual flush toilet that has an improved design can flush most waste by only using a half-flush. These dual flush toilets also still have a full flush available when you want it. These models only cost a little more than a standard toilet, but can save you around $50.00 a year.
Here are a few websites to check out –
www.h2ouse.org
www.harvesth20.com
www.rainxchange.com
www.agreenliving.net