17 Ways to Conserve Water At Home

With droughts becoming a more common phenomenon, conserving water is more important than ever before. Even if you're not living in a dry or drought-stricken area, it's important to be mindful of your water use and conservation. Water is not only precious, but it can be expensive as well, so by cutting back, you'll also reduce your utility bill.

You might feel like you are just one person and your water usage might not make a difference, but it definitely does! The average person uses 80-100 gallons of water per day. That's over 30,000 gallons a year for just one person.

Even if you can't make any huge changes on this don't worry, the little actions add up. Pick a few to start with as it can start saving hundreds of gallons a year. There are many ways you can conserve water, so let's take at 17 methods that you can try at home.

1. If it's yellow, leave it mellow...This suggestion may not be for everyone, but toilets are one of the most water-consuming fixtures in your home. Try to cut back on flushing if it's unnecessary.

2. If this isn't for you, then consider installing a water-efficient toilet that can reduce your water use by 60% or more. That's more than 4,000 gallons a year!

3. Turn off the sink while you brush your teeth. You've probably heard this since you were a child, but a running sink uses an average of 2.5 gallons per minute. Don't let all of that water go to waste while you brush! Turn the faucet off while you brush and only use it when it's time to rinse. 

4. Also turn off the tap while you wash your hands! You don't need to use gallons of water on your hands or face, so lather up while the faucet is off and only turn it on when needed.

5. Fix your leaky faucets. While it may only seem like a few drops of water, they add up.

6. Go to a car wash to clean your car, which uses less water than your garden hose. Car washes also typically recycle their water.

7. Shorten your showers, which will seriously save water. Also, update your shower head since older models can use almost five gallons of water per minute.

8. Additionally, update your home with efficient fixtures. Invest in newer shower heads and low-flow toilets. Install dishwashers and washing machines that have a water sensor, which can equal to big water and energy savings. 

9. Water your yard and plants early in the morning. Doing so requires less water since the cooler temperatures lead to less evaporation.

10. Try shrinking your lawn if possible or update your irrigation system to use recycled water. Include succulents and others plants that don't require as much water to live.

11. Don't use your as a trash can since it causes unnecessary flushing and water waste. Use a garbage can instead. 

12. Keep a wash bucket in your sink. Doing so will allow you to use the water in the bucket without wasting precious water from a running faucet.

13. Insulate your water pipes with foam. This pipe insulation will help you get hot water faster, so you can avoid the long wait time while it heats up.

14. Only run your washing machine and dishwasher when you have a full load. For partial loads, try adjusting the water levels to match the amount, which will reduce the required water.

15. Only water your lawn when necessary. A good way to test this is by stepping on the grass. If the grass feels springy and pops back, then it doesn't need water. If it remains flat, then you'll want to water it.

16. Try not to use your garbage disposal, which can waste gallons of water. Instead, try composting your food scraps.

17. Re-use your cooking water. If you're boiling pasta or vegetables, then wait until the water cools down and use it to water your plants. Make sure that the water isn't still hot otherwise you might harm them.