
Unlimited continuous access to clean water is
something a lot of us take for granted. After all, it’s literally right there at our fingertips – just a
quick twist or two away at any given time. This isn’t the case for the great
majority of the world. An astonishing 783 million people
worldwide don’t have access to clean water. Several million more will die this
year due to causes related to lack of clean water.
In other words, water really is a precious resource,
and we all need to do our part to treat it that
way. In particular, we need to stop wasting
it. Here, we’ll go over the additional benefits of conserving water in the
home, as well as discuss how you and your family can get started.
Conserving Water Helps the Environment
Although it may seem as if water exists in unlimited
supplies, it doesn’t. Nearly every living thing on the planet counts on water
in order to stay alive, so, if anything happens to interfere with the delicate
balance that’s in place, there are consequences. By only using what you need,
you’re doing your part to make sure there’s always enough to go around.
Even little changes make a difference, especially over
time. Shut off the tap while you’re brushing your teeth and limit the amount of
time you spend in the shower. Make sure you fix or replace leaky faucets and pipes
promptly. You can also help preserve the integrity of the groundwater where you
live by properly disposing of items like batteries or medications.
Conserving Water Helps Conserve Energy
Water isn’t the only resource being squandered when
you’re careless with your water usage. You’re also wasting precious energy.
Take a moment to simply consider how much energy it takes to get the water you
use all the way from its original source to an access point in your home. Make
sure you’re factoring in the additional energy it takes to heat any water you
might be using to bathe, wash your dishes, or do your laundry.
There’s also the energy, labor, and environmental
impact associated with other parts of the process to consider as well. These
things are necessary in order to construct water treatment plants, lay pipe,
and so forth. When you use water irresponsibly, you’re also wasting all the
resources that went into delivering it to you.
Conserving Water Saves You Money
Making sure you use water responsibly isn’t just
better for the environment and for society at large. It also benefits you to do so. Expenses attached to your
household’s water usage really add up, after a while, so doing everything you
can to conserve water can save you a lot of money in the long run.
Ideas for Using Water More Responsibly
It’s understandable if you’re not sure where to start
when it comes to conserving water in your home. Just begin by becoming more
aware of how you and your family use water in your home. When you notice a
habit that could use improvement, make some changes. The following are just a
few ideas to get you started:
·
The average faucet delivers water at a
rate of 2.5 gallons per minute.
Imagine how much water could be saved if everyone in your household turned the
faucet off while they wash their hands or brush their teeth.
·
Consider reducing the size of your lawn (or
even eliminating it altogether). Also select the plants and grass you do have
on your property carefully, choosing plants that require less water to thrive,
whenever possible.
·
Stop washing your car at home with your
garden hose. Find a local car wash that recycles water, and take it there
instead.
·
Be vigilant when it comes to spotting
leaks around your property as soon as possible. If your water bill suddenly
spikes, it could be a sign that it’s time to have a plumber check your lines.
·
Upgrade to high-efficiency
appliances that conserve water. Examples include low-flow toilets, newer shower
heads, more efficient faucets,
Water-Sense-rated dishwashers, and so forth.
The above suggested
changes are just a few of the many you and your family can make when it comes
to conserving water in your home. Don’t be afraid to put your heads together
and think of even more.