Top 10 Ways to Conserve Water Every Day
Whether you’re a leading wastewater treatment company like MI2 Operating Systems or a conscientious person who wants to do right by the environment, everyone can agree that water conservation is increasingly important. Good thing there are many simple, effective ways to conserve water every day. Here’s our top 10:
#1: Install Water-saving Shower Heads and Faucet Aerators
Everyone loves a hot shower, especially on a cold day. But if you don’t limit your shower time to a simple soap-up, wash-off, and rinse, you’ll waste 5 – 10 gallons for every extra minute. A high-efficiency shower head is inexpensive and designed to reduce water usage (20% – 60% in most cases) while maintaining ideal water pressure. Faucet aerators are equally inexpensive and easy to install, and they can reduce water flow by 1.5 gallons/minute or more.
#2: Fix Leaky Faucets and Running Toilets
Our water treatment firm serving St. Louis highly recommends fixing leaky faucets and running toilets. A faucet leaking at one drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons of water/year, and a running toilet wastes much more.
#3: Exercise Good “Tap Management”
This includes things like turning the tap on to wet your toothbrush but turning it off while brushing your teeth, and turning the tap off once your rag is wet enough to wash your face
#4: Your Diet has a “Water Footprint”
Every human being has a carbon footprint and a water footprint. Some foods and beverages (beef, coffee, and milk are three examples) require excessive water for their production. Consider eating organic, consuming less meat, and eating local.
#5: Choose/Use Your Appliances Wisely
The pros at our respected water services firm in O’Fallon love energy-star appliances, especially when they’re used at full capacity and with the “economy” setting engaged.
#6: Consider a Dual-flush Toilet
Dual-flush toilet converters are rapidly gaining popularity thanks to their low cost, easy installation, and outstanding return-on-investment. On average, within the first year of usage you’ll have paid for your dual-flush toilet converter twice-over.
#7: Waste not, want not
We’re all guilty of heating up water for tea or cooking, using what we need, and then pouring the rest down the drain. Ditto for drinking half a glass of water and pitching the rest. Start thinking of ways to use this excess water: the dog’s water bowl, your plants, etc.
#8: Utilize a Rain Barrel
20 years ago, anybody with a rain barrel outside their house would’ve been considered “super-crunchy”. Not so anymore. Rain barrels are awesome water conservation tools: rainwater goes from your gutters into the barrel, and from the barrel right to your garden.
#9: Enlightened Planting
When next you plant, be sure to plant species that are native to your region. The more native, the less water they’ll need to flourish.
#10: Grab Those Rebates
Many municipal water utilities offer rebates to residents who purchase water-efficient appliances and fixtures. Contact your city’s water utility and discuss opportunities to lower your monthly water bill.
MI2 Operating Systems has many more water conservation tips to offer, along with years of municipal wastewater management expertise in Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri. We serve Industrial Wastewater clients across the country. Contact us today for more information.