Summer is the peak of water consumption in the United States. According to the EPA, the average home’s usage can spike to as much as 1,000 gallons each day in the summer, compared to just 260 gallons during other periods of the year. Follow the simple steps below to reduce your household's water consumption this Summer.
1. Water Your Lawn As Needed, And At The Right Time
Summer’s rising temperatures often mean your lawn needs extra water, but water only when your lawn needs it. To tell if your lawn needs water: simply walk across the grass. If the lawn springs right back up, it doesn’t need water. If you leave footprints, it may be time to water. When your lawn does need watering, be sure to water it early in the morning. You can lose as much as 30 percent of your water if you water during the middle of the day. If your irrigation system is on a timer, check the weather. There may be days when you don’t need to water at all due to rain.
2. Turn Off The Hose When Washing Your Car
Love to keep your car clean? Instead of the water hose, use a bucket and sponge to clean your vehicle. When you leave a hose running, you can waste as much as six gallons per minute. A bucket and sponge will only use a few gallons to do the job.
3. Wait To Run Your Dishwasher Or Washing Machine
Only run your dishwasher and washer when they are full. When you wash clothes, make sure to adjust the water level to match the load size. Have a water saving cycle on either machine? Use it! And if you hand wash your dishes, make sure not to leave the water flowing continuously. Wash dishes in a partially filled sink and rinse using your spray attachment.
4. Skip The Bath
Take showers! A full bathtub may hold up to 70 gallons of water; a shower typically uses just 10 to 25 gallons. And if you are one who is prone to long showers, shorten it up. Play music to time yourself, or simply set a timer. Listen to just 2 or 3 songs to keep your shower at around 6 minutes, or set the time for 5 or 6 minutes.
5. Turn Off The Faucet
Make sure to turn off the water while you are brushing your teeth. This can save you as much as 8 gallons of water per day.
6. Fix Leaks
Make sure to regularly check for leaks. To test your toilet for a leak, you can simply add a drop of food coloring to the tank. If the water in the bowl turns that color without flushing, you have a leak. Fix any leaks you find. A single leak can waste several thousands of gallons each year.
To estimate your household's water consumption and for more conservation tips that save both water and energy, use Home Water Work's Water Calculator.
*This Blog Post Was Contributed by Aaron Atkins and Edited by Eccotemp*