With temperatures rising and summer just around the corner, water meters are about to be speeding up. Not only can that get expensive, but water utilities in many parts of the country are struggling to keep up with demand.
Whether you’re looking to keep costs down or contribute to the conservation effort, or both, there are a multitude of things that can be done, according to this guide from Eartheasy.
While most people recognize that low-flow toilets and showerheads will make a difference, there are a variety of other ways to lessen water use at little to no cost. This includes filling two plastic bottles with an inch or so of sand or pebbles, and the rest of the way with water, then submerging the bottles in your toilet tank to save as much as 10 gallons per day.
When it comes to faucets and sinks, there’s the traditional advice: Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and don’t let the faucet run while washing vegetables or dishes. However, you might be surprised to know that running the dishwasher uses less water than hand washing. This can save as much as 5,000 gallons per year in an average household, according to U.S. EPA estimates.
Outdoors, cover swimming pools to reduce evaporation and use a broom instead of a hose to clean the driveway. And when it comes to watering, there are plenty of things to consider. Add organic material to garden beds to increase absorption and water retention, water early in the day rather than later, and avoid overwatering with an easy-to-use soil moisture meter.
But here’s another one you might not know about: Grouping plants with similar water needs, also known as hydro zones, is a great way to be more efficient because you won’t be wasting water on plants that don’t need it.
The Eartheasy list is extensive, so taking a read through it means you’ll likely learn at least a few things to help cut costs and be a more environmentally conscious water consumer.
