Other water conservation tips
- For a quick and cheap way of saving water, replace worn tap washers (approx 20 pence each) - and save a fiver a year. If you install new taps anywhere in your home, put spray heads on them and fix any taps that drip - these can waste up to 4 litres of water per day!
- Turn your hot water heater down
- Repair leaky faucets(taps). They waste water and energy.
- Use dishwashers and clothes washers only when fully loaded.
- Wash your car only when necessary; use a bucket to save water. Alternatively, go to a commercial carwash that uses water efficiently and disposes of runoff properly.
- Educate your friends and family about water conservation.
- Learn about water conservation around the world , with one of wateraid's online games www.wateraid.org, games
Steps That Individuals Can Take Some water saving methods are slightly more involved but remain doable. You can install water saving toilets, faucets, and shower heads. If replacing the toilet is not feasible, place a plastic bottle or bag filled with water in the toilet tank. Keep water cold in a pitcher in your fridge rather than running the faucet to wait for cold water, and catch water for plants when waiting for the tap water to cool or warm. Watering your lawn very early in the morning or later in the evening will help it retain moisture longer, as will adding compost to your garden.
Water is also used extensively in manufacture and agriculture, thus reducing overall consumption, reusing materials when possible, purchasing fresh food and cooking at home rather than relying on processed and pre-packaged food will reduce water use worldwide. Check out http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/100ways/index.shtml and your city or county's water conservation websites for hundreds of additional water saving tips. Also take a look through the Greeniacs water links (found under "Cool Resources" and "Greeniacs Links") http://www.greeniacs.com/GreeniacsLinks/Water.
