Water is essential for life, yet it is a finite resource. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average American family uses 300 gallons of water per day. But there are easy ways to conserve water and save money on your water bill.
Here are 10 ways to conserve water:
1. Fix leaks. A dripping faucet can waste up to 20 gallons of water per day. A leaky toilet can waste up to 200 gallons.
2. Don\’t let the water run. When brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing your face, turn the water off when you\’re not using it.
3. Take shorter showers. A 10-minute shower uses about 25 gallons of water.
4. Don\’t use the toilet as a wastebasket. Every time you flush a cigarette butt, facial tissue, or other small item, you use about 1.6 gallons of water.
5. Turn off the water while you\’re washing dishes. Fill the sink with soapy water instead of letting the water run while you scrub.
6. Water your plants during the cooler hours of the day. Evaporation is less during these times, so your plants will get more water.
7. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway, sidewalk, or patio.
8. Wash your car at a commercial car wash that recycles water.
9. Use a rain barrel to collect rainwater to water your plants.
10. Check your home\’s plumbing for leaks. A leak of just one drop per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year.