Water Conservation: Reducing Water Usage at Home
An increasing number of studies show that there will be serious problems with drinking water in many areas of the world. South America, North Africa and South Asia are likely to face serious water shortage in the next decade, but this problem has different implications on the global level, which is why both the governments and individuals should work together to save as much water as possible. You can start immediately with the space you live in.
Efficient faucet repairs
The most important step in reducing the amount of water a household uses on a daily basis is to minimize the volume of water wasted through faucets. Firstly, you need to check if the faucet is leaking water. If it is, replace the rubber washers. Secondly, install faucet add-ons to reduce the amount of water that flows through the faucet. These devices are called aerators and they are pretty cheap, which makes them affordable for every household. In addition to water conservation, aerators can also make the water pressure higher, which will save more energy in the water heater, too.
Reduced shower consumption
Although taking a shower is considered more eco-friendly than taking a bath, there is always some room for improvements. If you want to keep the feeling of comfort that regular showers give you and at the same time save water, you should opt for shower heads that reduce the water flow. They are extremely efficient devices that will reduce you water bill and increase your contribution to global water conservation. What is more, they can be a great decorative detail in your bathroom, too. However, make sure that your replace the shower heads in a safe way, to avoid any unwanted water spills, advise my local plumbers, and whatever you do, always shut off the water.
Flow valves
If your flow valves work properly, they can be used to adapt the water flow to your current needs. For example, if other family members are on vacation now and you are home alone, you do not need a large amount of water. You can use them to keep the water flow on a lower level even when you are washing the dishes.
And if the flow valves in your home do not function properly, for any reason, you should find the cause and address this issue immediately. However, remember that any serious repair on the water supply system will demand professional knowledge as a laymen approach usually does more harm than good in such occurrences.
Smart flushing options
It is estimated that about 30% of water in an average household is used by toilets. This is why any reasonable and rational person will adapt their toilets to their needs. The first thing you can to is to install a dual flush converter. This device enables its users to control how much water is wasted per flush. Since they can be installed without replacing the whole tank, most people can do it on their own. In addition, you can also use tank bags to considerably reduce the toilet water consumption.
As you can see, water can be saved in many ways, but the most important thing is to develop the feeling of awareness that we could be facing terrible water shortages in the near future. When people realize how serious the situation is, they will increase their individual contributions to the global water-conserving agenda. The more of us spread the word, the stronger impact this water-saving campaign will have.
Article written by Lillian Connors. If one thing is true about Lillian Connors, her mind is utterly curious. That’s why she can’t resist the urge to embark on a myriad of home improvement projects and spread the word about them. As the Co-Editor at SmoothDecorator, she cherishes the notion that sustainable housing and gardening will not only make us far less dependent on others regarding the dwellings we inhabit and what we eat, but also contribute to our planet being a better place to live on. You can check her out on Twitter and LinkedIn.