Water is Life, and it Connects Us All
Humans take well over half of all the water that once flowed from source to sea for millennia. The climate crisis is further depleting this already limited resource and no one is unaffected. California is in a historic drought, and we are running out of water, but FOR has a few tips to help us all conserve a little water and the hope that goes along with it!
EVERY DROP COUNTS
Some of the most effective ways to save water are actually pretty easy.
1) Keep Drinking Water in the Fridge
Don't run the tap waiting for it to get cold.
2) Only Wash Full Loads of Laundry
Cold water loads can help conserve water and energy.
Running the washer only when it is full saves 15-45 gallons per load. When doing your laundry, if you have to wash a smaller load, adjust the water settings on your machine and use the cold setting.
3) Don't Rinse Your Dishes
√ Scrape food scraps into a compost bin or trash
√ Garbage disposals require a lot of water
√ Only run the dishwasher when it is completely full
Modern dishwashers can clean stuck-on food without using as much water as hand-washing. If food is really stuck onto your dishes, try soaking them instead. Running a dishwasher only when it is full saves 5-15 gallons per load.
4) Serve Meals From the Pot/Pan
Skip the serving dish.
By cutting down on the number of dishes you use, you can make a big impact on how often you use water to wash dishes. (either by hand or by dishwasher)
5) Buy Drought Tolerant Plants
Succulents are not only great plants for drought but when planted in the ground, they help combat soil erosion.
Check with your local nursery for which plants grow best in your area and be sure to go with California natives. Using drought-resistant plants and trees can save 30-60 gallons per 1000 sq. ft. each time.
6) Reuse Water for Your Plants
Recycling indoor water to use outdoors can cut water use by 30%.
Using cooled water from cooking pasta or veggies, melted ice, old water from pet bowl, etc., can all save water and nourish your plants.
7) Fix Leaks Around the House
Leaks from faucets and shower heads can really add up.
One drip every second amounts to roughly five gallons of water every day. Fixing leaks can save 110 gallons of water each month. Make sure you turn taps tightly to prevent drips and fix leaks promptly.
8) Turn Off Faucets when Not in Use
You can save up to 10 gallons a day by turning off the ater when:
√ Brushing your teeth
√ Shaving
√ Washing your hands
9) Take Shorter Showers and Skip the Baths
A full bath can use up to 70 gallons of water!
Keeping showers under 5 minutes can save 12.5 gallons per shower when using a water-efficient showerhead. Remember to turn the water off while you are soaping or shampooing, and while brushing your teeth, to save even more water. If you prefer baths, filling up your bathtub halfway or less can save 12 gallons of water per bath.
10) Take Your Car to an Automatic Car Wash
Many automatic car washes recycle their water.
This is a water saving and environmentally friendly option that is often overlooked because many people consider it to be a luxury.
11) Use a Broom to Clean Your Outdoor Areas
Skip the hose and sweep your patio, driveway etc.
A push broom can be as effective as power wash hose and can save 8-18 gallons of water every minute. For cleaning smaller areas, try using a wash rag to hand mop floors instead of a bucket and mop.
Extra Credit
- Installing low-flow toilets and showerheads can save 19 gallons per person each day.
- Build a rain catchment system (it can be as easy as putting barrel outside in the rain)
