Drip by Drip: Simple Strategies for Reducing Water Usage

 

Photo by: Amritanshu Sikdar on Unsplash

Water conservation techniques are crucial today, considering the ongoing reports of drought conditions in many locations.

Although water is seemingly available everywhere, from streams and creeks to rivers and lakes to oceans, potable (drinkable) water is scarcer than you might think.

Clean, healthy drinking water is a necessity for human life. At the time of this writing, a projected 8+ billion people live on Earth.

Each person requires clean drinking water, in a recommended amount of 1 gallon per person daily.

It doesn’t take a math whiz to figure out that’s a lot of water every single day.

Given the implications of the need for clean water, we all must use our water wisely.

On average, we use anywhere from 10 to 20 gallons of water every time we flush a toilet. And volumes of water go straight down the drain whenever we shower.

What if we could flush the toilet with that shower runoff water instead?

This article will discuss this and other ways to use our water resources more effectively.

Ready to learn more? Read on!

Understanding Your Water Footprint

So, what exactly is a water footprint?

The answer to that question comes in two buckets, so to speak. You have direct water usage, and you have virtual water usage.

Direct water usage is what it sounds like. It’s the actual water you use daily for cooking, cleaning, drinking, etc.

Virtual water, on the other hand, is the water that is needed to:

• Produce food
• Make energy
• Manufacture consumer products

On a large scale, there are three different kinds of water footprints:

• Blue Water Footprint is the surface or groundwater used directly to produce an item.
• Green Water Footprint is the rainwater used to make an item.
• Grey Water Footprint, contrary to actual Grey Water, is the amount of freshwater it takes to dilute industry-generated wastewater to maintain water quality.

These types of footprints combine to calculate your virtual water usage.

The interactive water footprint calculator at www.watercalculator.org makes it easier to figure out this information.

The questions in their calculator also show you ways to monitor and adjust your direct water usage.

 

Simple Behavioral Adjustments

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We can all make a few very simple adjustments to our routine behavior that can dramatically improve our direct water footprint.

For instance, did you know that a bath uses an average of 80 gallons of water, while a 4-minute shower uses between 20 and 40 gallons?

Of course, the longer the shower, the more water it uses, so consider installing a simple shower timer.

If you must use the bathtub, consider utilizing a tub insert that holds less water (for the kiddos) or bathing a little less frequently (every other day instead of daily).

Turn off the faucet while washing your hands, brushing your teeth, or shaving instead of allowing volumes of fresh water to run down the drain.

This is one area where the newly popular “tap on, tap off” faucets come in handy.

Instead of using a constant flow of water from the faucet, keep a little water in the bottom of the sink to rinse your razor or a cup of water to wet your toothbrush.

It’s the same for hand-washing dishes. Fill the sink to wash, then refill once to rinse.

Although, using an efficient dishwasher uses less water (as much as 50% less) than hand-washing.

While using energy-efficient and water-efficient machines for dishwashing and laundry, it’s important to note that the best water conservation technique is only to use them for full loads.

If you want cool water to drink, keep a pitcher in the fridge instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cold enough to drink.

On the flip side, insulate your hot water pipes so you get hot water to the faucets and showers sooner without running so long.

Alternatively, you can install a tankless, instant water heater under your faucets. Your water comes out piping hot immediately, which prompts you to use less.

If you spend time outdoors, consider a reusable water bottle with a filter to drink safely from natural sources instead of buying bottled water or filling from your home.

 

Low-Cost Water-Saving Tools and Devices

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There are numerous inexpensive devices that you can install in your home to reduce the amount of water you use.

Fit your showers with low-flow showerheads.

Use low-flow aerators on your faucets, both in the bathroom and kitchen.

These devices are usually simple to install and can save hundreds of gallons of water annually.

One of the most significant uses of household water is the toilet.

You can use a brick or weighted bottle to displace some water in the toilet tank while ensuring a proper flush volume.

High-efficiency or dual-flush toilets can be a good investment if you plan to remodel.

Another option is to save water used in the shower or bath to flush the toilet. This might need logistical planning but could result in significant water savings over time.

Another water conservation technique is to use rain barrels to collect rainwater from downspouts.

This water can be reused to water outdoor or indoor plants, wash the car, or for other outdoor cleaning needs.

It’s also possible to obtain food-grade rain barrels to supplement your indoor water usage.

 

Alternative Fixtures & Habits

You might want to consider more aggressive options if you want some genuinely alternative water conservation techniques.

Waterless urinals have been designed to eliminate the need for water while ensuring no odor or contamination.

You could also switch to a composting toilet (if approved in your area) to eliminate additional water from literally “going down the toilet.”

Collect any water you run from your faucets or shower while waiting on the appropriate temperature. Use this water for indoor plants or flushing your ordinary toilet.

If you wash your vegetables before cooking, keep that water to soak the dirty dishes after dinner.

Most homes receive water from a public source, so you are probably aware of water meters. These devices are typically used for billing purposes.

However, water meters, pressure regulators, and other devices can be part of a water management system to help you monitor and control the amount of water used in your home.

Taking your own readings from your water meter helps you understand the volume of water your household uses less than monthly (as reported by your utility company).

A leak detection system can positively affect water consumption and protect your home from costly damage and repairs.

 

Landscaping and Outdoor Water Use

Photo by Patou Ricard on Pixabay

Some municipalities allow for the use of reclaimed water in irrigation systems. This is an efficient use of water unsuitable for drinking or cooking.

Using reclaimed water for irrigation also helps reinvigorate your underground water tables using natural filtration.

You can also reimagine your landscaping to use native plants that require less water.

Xeriscaping is another way to reduce the amount of water needed outdoors.

This practice designs landscaping that requires little or no additional irrigation beyond what the area’s natural climate provides.

If xeriscaping isn’t your cup of tea, then consider ways to minimize waste in your irrigation practices.

As mentioned, barrels can store rainwater for later use in watering plants or other uses.

Using an irrigation system on a timer can take advantage of watering after sundown, which reduces evaporation-related water loss. Avoid watering when it’s windy, too, as this can result in additional water loss to evaporation.

Be sure your irrigation system has a working rain gauge. This will prevent the system from running when it is already raining.

 

Engaging with Your Community

Learn whether your community offers separate metering for irrigation and whether it can offer reclaimed water for that purpose.

If they do not, advocate with your community leaders to consider making it possible in the future.

Talk with your neighbors about optimal times for using irrigation, such as in the early hours or after sunset, to lessen evaporation and ensure the irrigation serves its intended purpose.

Advocate for composting toilets if your area hasn’t made them legal yet.

It is incumbent on all of us to use water conservation techniques to help ensure that clean, healthy water is available for everyone who needs it.

Help your family and friends become aware of ways they can conserve water. This will reduce their water utility charges and maintain freshwater availability for others.

Water Conservation Techniques Help Everyone

Conserving fresh water is in everyone’s best interest.

You can start very simply by looking at your habits and routines and making adjustments.

The next step is to consider replacing older machines with more efficient models, such as dishwashers, washers, and water heaters.

Look at your outdoor water habits, like irrigation, washing the car, or using the hose to wash walkways or driveways.

Talk to your family, friends, and community leaders about water conservation techniques.

Help make water security a reality now as well as for future generations.