Water, Water, Everywhere…Well, Not Quite

Whether you live in the middle of a desert or in a water-rich region, water conservation should be an important part of everyday living in your home. Why? According to
Water.org, water conservation not only helps to preserve an irreplaceable natural resource, it also reduces the strain on urban wastewater management systems. No matter where you live, it costs energy and money to treat wastewater, and it is important that water that gets returned to our waterways is as clean as possible.

The average American uses between 100 and 175 gallons of water a day at home, and this number doesn’t account for the water used outside our homes to help feed and clothe us. For example, about 70% of all freshwater withdrawals are used to irrigate agriculture.

If you’re looking for ways to conserve water in your home, there are many things you can do – starting with steps you can take in your kitchen. Greeniacs.com and SuperEco.com offer a number of suggestions, and we’ve added a few of our own:

• Although some environmentalists would suggest that you abandon your dishwasher and wash dishes in warm standing sink water with biodegradable soap (using a separate sink for rinse water and a drying rack for drying), you can improve water savings even if your dishwasher is your favorite appliance. Some say dishwashers can even use less water than washing dishes by hand. The trick is to avoid rinsing dishes before placing them in the dishwasher, and if you must clean them first, wipe them down with a damp sponge or rag instead of running them under tap water. And always pack in a full load of dishes before you run your dishwasher.
• Soak dirty pots and pans for a while before washing, and use the water they were soaking in when you wash them.
• Wash fruit and produce all at once, instead of individually. Washing a whole head of lettuce when you first bring it home, for example, will use less water than watching a few sections at a time each time you make a salad. Use a pot of standing water instead of holding produce under a running faucet.
• Re-use your cups. If you use a new cup every time you pour yourself a drink of water or a cup of tea, you’re adding a lot of dishes to your daily dishwashing. Consider keeping one cup available, and re-use it (you can assign spaces for different family member’s cups to be stored if necessary). Then wash your cup once, at the end of the day.
• Don’t pour extra water down the sink. If you have water left in the pot you used to wash off your vegetables, use it to water your plants.
• Compost instead of using a garbage disposal, because garbage disposals require running water.
• Fix leaky faucets, and use low-flow aerators on all faucets.
• Fix leaking appliances immediately.

Conserving water in your kitchen will go a long way toward reducing your household’s water use. But you can also save water in other household areas. In the bathroom, use low-flow toilets, faucet aerators and showerheads, and choose a shower over a bath whenever possible. And of course, take shorter showers (use a timer, if necessary). Another tip: avoid running the faucet while you brush your teeth.

In the laundry room, use a water-saving clothes washer, like one of the front-loading models from GE. Outdoors, create a lawn and/or garden that features plants native to the natural environment in your region, to prevent the need for excess watering.

If you want to calculate your personal water footprint, check out this online calculator created by Siemens and Facebook. And if you’re looking to install water-saving appliances, the staff in the showrooms at Atherton Appliance & Kitchens and BSC Culinary will be happy to help.