In many areas of the world water is a valuable commodity so here are some ways that we can all save and reuse water. Keep in mind that while these tips will work to help our planet they will reduce the cost of your water bill. So on days when making that little bit of extra effort seems tedious remember that a penny saved is …
FAUCET WASTE
Don’t turn water on until you are ready to use it, then turn it off immediately even if it means turning it off and on several times when washing dishes, brushing teeth, washing face, etc.
LAWN & GARDEN
Make adjustments to how long and how often you water your lawn and garden. American Lawns has published an excellent guide on this topic.
Consider lawns and plants that need less watering:
- With Eco-lawn there’s no need to rip up your lawn and start over, simply over-seed in the spring or fall.
- Fleur de Lawn – Eco Friendly Lawn Alternative – 1lb Bag
Note: this alternative does require ripping out your old lawn before re-seeding.
Employ eco-watering tools such as those below:
WASHING DISHES
Use a dishpan to wash your dishes and you’ll save time, money and water. In the morning fill a dishpan with water. Place your scraped dishes in the pan to soak and then wash in the same dishpan with the same water and a little soap.
If you want to get really crazy, rinse them in a second dishpan filled with water which you can then take out to the garden with the dishes still in the pan so that you can do the final rinse with the hose over your plants.
Of course you’ll then use the water from both dishpans to water your garden or lawn.
WATERING POT
I keep a large pretty pitcher near the sink. When I rinse recyclable bottles and cans I dump the water into this pitcher instead of down the drain. When I rinse dishes I dump the water into the pitcher. When I rinse out plastic baggies I dump the water into the pitcher.
When I drain pasta and other foods through a colander I do so over the watering pot.
I use the water in the pitcher to either soak dishes before washing or to water the garden.
SHOWER BUCKET
Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water while the shower is getting hot. This water can then be used to flush your toilet once or twice, depending on how big your bucket is and on whether or not you have a low-flow toilet.
LOW FLOW FAUCETS & SHOWERHEADS
Inexpensive and simple to install, low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators can reduce your water consumption by as much as 50%, and reduce the cost of heating the water by as much as 50%!
