4 Ways You Can Save Water

We all know that water is one of the world’s most precious resources. However, a lot of us still don’t think much about conserving it.  It’s important to know, not only as homeowners but as citizens and community members, that wasting water negatively affects the environment. It can lead to a decline in human health, a decrease in wildlife and an increase in pollutants. By conserving water, you can slowly but surely positively impact the environment around you and even decrease your water bill. If you don’t know where to start, don’t worry. The team at Mattioni is here with a helpful list of ways you can save water.

1. Fix Any Leaks

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, leaks in the average home can account for up to 10,000 gallons of water lost every year. However, by fixing these leaks you can significantly conserve water in addition to saving about 10 percent on your water bill. Here are some common places you might find leaks:

• Toilet

To identify a leak in your toilet, use the popular food coloring method. Place a drop of food coloring in the tank—if the coloring shows up in the toilet bowl after 10 minutes, your toilet has a leak. This can most likely be caused by a deteriorated flapper or valve seal. You can find a new seal at any hardware or home improvement store and easily replace it.

• Faucet

Faucet leaks are generally caused by worn out components such as cartridges and gaskets. Leaky faucets are a nuisance and not just because of the annoying dripping sound they make. A leaky faucet dripping at one drip per second can waste 3000 gallons per year. However, you can easily fix this faucet by yourself.

• Showerhead

Make sure your showerhead isn’t the culprit behind the leaks by tightening the connection between the showerhead and pipe stem. A showerhead leaking at 10 drips per minute can waste more than 500 gallons a year.

2.  Run Dishwasher and Washing Machine for Full Loads Only

One small but effective way you can save water is by making sure your dishwasher and washing machine are completely full before you run them. When washing dishes, make sure you don’t unnecessarily pre-rinse dishes and utensils before you put them in the dishwasher—if there is any residue, scrape it off instead of washing it. When doing laundry, wash with cold or warm water as this can cut a load’s energy use in half.

3. Water Your Lawn Only When Needed

According to the EPA, about 50 percent of the water we use outdoors goes to waste because of evaporation, runoff or overwatering. The best way you can save water outdoors is by being strategic about how you water your lawn. Based on the plants you grow and the climate in your area, you can gauge how much water your lawn needs. Also, it’s a good idea to water your lawn in the evening or early in the morning so your landscape completely absorbs water instead of losing it to evaporation.

4. Practice Water Conservation in Your Daily Routine

The best way you can save on your water bill and contribute to the broader water conservation efforts is by incorporating water-saving practices into your household’s daily routine. Here are some small actions that can have big impacts:

• Taking shorter showers can save you 150 gallons of water every month
• Turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth and fill up a small glass for mouth rinsing
• Turn off the showering whenever you’re lathering up or conditioning your hair
• Install a rain barrel by placing it under downspouts. This way you can save water that would normally be lost in run-off and use it to water any plants in your home
• Reuse water for cooking pasta to water plants
• Designate one glass or bottle for drinking water everyday so you don’t have to keep washing multiple glasses everyday

Save Water with Mattioni

We hope this list of ways you can save water is helpful. If you want more information on how you can conserve water, don’t hesitate to call Mattioni! Our team of dedicated employees proudly serves the Chester County, Pennsylvania area with their knowledgeable and professional service. Call us today at 610-400-8510 or schedule a service on our website!