In North America, where clean water is available to us just by turning on a tap, it seems like water is in limitless supply – especially here in Florida, where we’re surrounded by it! But believe it or not, water isn’t a renewable resource. Only a small amount of the total water on Earth is drinkable, and due to pollution, that quantity is constantly shrinking. Plus, with the Earth’s population growing so fast, there’s increased demand for that small amount of clean water.

So it’s up to all of us to do our part to conserve water however we can. Luckily, it’s easy! Just being mindful of the amount of water we use every day will go a long way toward making sure there is enough clean water available for all of us. And as a bonus, your utility bills will go down!

Conserving Water in the House

In the house, there are several ways to cut down on your water usage:

  • Check regularly for leaks. Take a good look at all of your faucets regularly to make sure none of them are dripping. Even a small drip from one faucet can go through up to 20 gallons every single day. If you suspect leaks elsewhere, take a look at your water meter, then look at it again after a couple of hours with no water usage. If the number is higher than it was before, you leak somewhere in the house.
  • Install low-flow shower heads. Ideally, we should all be limiting our time in the shower, but sometimes a long, hot shower just feels too good to cut it short. A water-saving shower head will keep water usage to a minimum, without sacrificing a large loss in water pressure. This simple step could potentially save thousands of gallons of water over a year.
  • Replace old toilets with water-conserving models. Older toilets use 3-5 gallons of water with every flush. Consider replacing your old toilets with new “low flow” models, which use only 1-2 gallons. There are even dual-flush toilets, which use more water for solid waste and less water for liquid.

Conserving Water Outdoors

Conservation isn’t just an indoor game. Try these techniques for saving water in the yard as well:

  • Be smart about watering. Don’t water your lawn at high noon, or on windy days, since the water will either blow away or evaporate before it gets to the root systems. Early morning is the best time to water the grass and other plants. Don’t water too often, but when you do, make sure to give the ground a good soaking so the water can get under the ground where it can do its best. And of course, position your sprinklers so the water only goes on the lawn and not on the driveway or sidewalk.
  • Use a rain catchment system. Rain barrels aren’t just for homesteaders! Modern barrels feature hose attachments for easy access to the stored water, and many of them are decorative as well as functional. Just position the barrel under a downspout for maximum water collection and use the stored water to maintain your lawn and garden.
  • Add mulch to your flower beds. Placing a thick layer of mulch or compost on your flower beds and around the trees keeps moisture in the soil so you won’t have to water them as often. Plus, it keeps weeds under control, saving you another unpleasant job.

The Plumbing & Cooling Nerds Believe in Conservation

Ready to install some water-saving fixtures in your home? The Plumbing & Cooling Nerds will be happy to assist with those low-flow toilets or shower heads. We’ll also take care of any leaks you might find. Call (239) 215-3330 or request an appointment online to get started.

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