My Eco Tip Two

20 Ways to Save Water at Home

Along with air, water is an essential element for preserving life. Water is a finite commodity that can result in imminent shortages in the future if not managed properly. Water conservation can help to minimize these shortages.

1. How to check your toilet for leaks. 
2. Step 1: Remove the tank lid.
   
3. Step 2: Put ten drops of food coloring inside the tank – red or green works best.
4. Step 3: Replace the lid and do not flush until the morning.
5. Step 4: Check the following day. If the coloring shows up in the bowl, your toilet is leaking.

2. Stop using your toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket. Every cigarette butt or tissue you flush away uses 5-7 gallons of water.
3. You can reduce the water used in the toilet by putting a plastic bottle in your toilet tank. Put an inch or two of sand or pebbles at the bottom of the bottle to weigh it down and fill the rest of the bottle with water, then put it in your toilet tank. This method can save up to 5 or more gallons daily without affecting the regular operation of the toilet.
4. Have shorter showers. A typical shower uses 5-7 gallons of water a minute. 
5. Install water-saving showerheads or flow restrictors. These will cut your shower flow to 3 gallons from 5 – 10 gallons every shower.
6. Take baths using a partially filled tub.
7. Turn off the water tap while brushing your teeth. Before brushing, wet your brush and fill a glass full of water for rinsing your mouth, then close the tap.
8. Turn off the water tap while shaving.
9. Check faucets and pipes for leaks.
10. Don’t run the hose while washing your car. 
11. Tell your kids not to play with a hose or sprinklers.
12. Don’t let the faucet run water while you clean vegetables. Use a bowl or a sink filled with water instead.
13. Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator for when you want a cool drink. 
14. If you wash dishes by hand, don’t keep the taps running when rinsing.
15. Put a layer of mulch around your plants to keep them moist, thereby requiring less watering.
16. Water your lawn only when it needs it (or not at all).
17. Use your automatic dishwasher for full loads only.
18. Use your automatic washing machine for full loads only.
19. Use a broom to clean driveways, sidewalks, and steps, rather than a hose.
20. Plant drought-resistant plants.

Save water, save lives!