Water Conservation

Water Usage in the United States

Domestic water usage is water that is used for indoor or outdoor use at your own home. This would include things such as your drinking water, doing the laundry, watering the grass, taking a shower, or brushing your teeth. The average American uses 100 gallons of water per day. So where does all of this water go to? Filling a bath tub usually takes about 36 gallons, brushing your teeth takes about 2 gallons per second, and washing clothes usually uses around 25 gallons of water. Throughout the day Americans are using far more water than anyone else in the world, and we are in danger of a water crisis if we continue these practices. Although 70% of the earth, only 1% is meant for use by humans, which shows that water is not an unlimited resource. With population increasing rapidly, and water resources depleting its important to make mindful choices in the way we use utilize this resource. Also, when water reservoir levels start to get low it contributes to higher levels of the human and natural contaminants it contains. The less responsible we are now, will make it even more difficult to fix, or perhaps unfixable later.

So What Can We Do To Conserve?

            The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) helps to conserve water by creating standards that ensure water-efficient products, homes, and services. Although these standards help to save a substantial amount of water every year, it is still important to practice efficient methods in your home as well. Being conservative in your water usage saves you money on your water bill, and many water suppliers are offering incentives for those who use water efficient products. It is to  your benefit, and to the planets, to conserve the water supply! Click HERE to find out how much you would save with water efficient products using this calculator supplied by the EPA and try these simple solutions, provided by the EPA, to start conserving water now:

1.     Check your plumbing and irrigation systems

Fix that leaky faucet or running toilets, it could save 10,000 gallons of water a year

2.     Turn off the water while brushing or shaving

3.     Take showers instead of baths, and get out a little sooner!

4.     Use the dishwasher only when full

5.     Keep a full pitcher of water in the refrigerator, so you don’t have to wait for the tap water to cool

6.     Scrape dishes instead of rinsing

7.     Wash only full loads of laundry

8.     Thaw food overnight in the refrigerator, instead of running cool water over it