Water conservation tips
Did you know that 4 billion people—two-thirds of world’s population—experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year?
Therefore, it's time to understand the importance of water and ways to conserve it.
At Providence, we are doing our share to make progress toward conserving water and helping others on how you can save water at home. Our purpose and values require us to be responsible stewards of our resources.
The ongoing drought in Northern CA has resulted in water usage restrictions. Providence used this as an opportunity to invest in water-saving solutions. This project saves 10,526,000 gallons of water annually with a minimal financial investment to be paid back in 2 years.
To keep up our mission of saving water, here is a complete guide on how to save water at home.
Water conservation tips to save water at home
Following are some of the ways to save water efficiently and effectively at home.
- You can install WaterSense labeled products to reduce water use in your home.
- Do not pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden, or for cleaning around your home.
- Do keep checking and repairing plumbing for leaks. A report says that a drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons of water a year. Therefore, if you find any leakage, consider fixing dripping faucets by replacing washers.
- You can retrofit all household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors to slow the flow of water.
- Insulating your hot water pipes is a great way to save water. First, it helps reduce heat loss and prevent them from breaking.
- You should choose appliances that are more energy and water efficient like refrigerators, washers and dryers, and dishwashers.
- Plant native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs, and trees because they don’t need much water.
Water saving tips during a drought
While there are many ways to minimize water use, these are some of the most effective and simple techniques we can implement to conserve water during a drought.
Indoor Water Conservation Tips While in a Drought
Here are some tips to save water indoors strategically in your bathroom, kitchen and laundry.
1. Bathroom
- Do not flush the toilet if it is not absolutely necessary. Putting tissues, insects, and other such garbage in the trash instead of the toilet saves water.
- Try to take brief showers; turn on the shower just long enough to become wet and lather, then turn it off.
- While brushing your teeth, washing your face, or shaving, do not leave the water running.
- In the shower, place a bucket to collect extra non-soapy water for watering plants.
2. Kitchen
- Use automatic dishwashers only when they are completely loaded. If possible, utilize the "light wash" mode to save water.
- Fill two containers with soapy water and rinse water with a little amount of chlorine bleach to hand wash dishes.
- Instead of running water from the tap, clean veggies in a pan filled with water.
- Drinking water should be kept in the refrigerator. While you're waiting for the water to cool, don't let the faucet run.
- Avoid wasting water while waiting for it to heat up. Capture it and use it to water plants, or heat it on the stove or in the microwave.
- Avoid rinsing dishes before placing them in the dishwasher; just remove large particles of food. (Most dishwashers can clean soiled dishes very well, so dishes do not have to be rinsed before washing).
- When melting meat or other frozen goods, avoid using running water. Refrigerate food overnight or use the defrost function on your microwave oven.
3. Laundry
- Use automatic clothes washers only when they are completely loaded, or select the proper water level for your load size.
- Do laundry with full loads only.
Outdoor Water Conservation Tips While in a Drought
Following are some outdoor ways to save water during a drought while washing cars and taking care of the lawn.
1. Car Washing
- Do not use a handheld hose to wash your automobile.
- If you utilize a commercial vehicle wash, look for one that recycles water.
2. Lawn Care
- Water your grass just when necessary to avoid overwatering. Only use water in the early morning or late evening, when temperatures are lower and water is less prone to evaporate.
- Watering is not required for up to two weeks after a big storm. Lawns require only one inch of water each week for most of the year.
- Using a soil probe, spade, or big screwdriver, check the moisture levels in the soil. If the soil is still damp, there is no need to water. If your grass bounces back when you tread on it, it doesn't need to be watered just yet.
- Check your sprinkler system on a regular basis and set the sprinklers so that just your lawn gets watered, not the house, sidewalk, or driveway.
- Water in little bursts rather than one large one to allow your lawn to absorb moisture and reduce runoff.
- Clean leaves and other debris from your driveway or sidewalk with a broom or blower rather than a hose.
- Don't leave sprinklers and hoses unattended. A garden hose may produce 600 gallons or more in a matter of hours.
- Allow lawns to go unwatered during severe droughts in order to save trees and huge bushes.
Safety to consider during drought
Drought may require safety precautions just like other weather hazards. Therefore, when utilizing grills, matches, candles, or open flames outside, pay extreme caution. Take care to dispose of smoking products properly after every use. Moreover, it’s necessary to take all required steps to prevent flames from spreading rapidly.
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