Great Green Idea: Green Living: 10 Ways to Cut Down on Your Water Bill

10 Ways to Cut Down on Your Water Bill

1. Use other sources of water for specific purposes. You can collect rainwater using a rainwater collection system, or you can recycle moderately used water. Don't throw away water from fish tanks as these are great for watering your potted plants. Rainwater and water used in washing vegetables may also be used to wash your car.

2. Avoid the unnecessary use of water. Do not over-water your lawn or plants. In general, watering your lawn once a week should be enough. To make sure that the water goes to the plants, it is best to water your plants during the evening or very early morning when the temperature is low. This will keep the water from evaporating into water vapor. In the same line, make it a point as well to reduce your regular car-washing habit. Wash your car only when necessary, and use a soapy sponge and pail. For other instances when your car does not really require a full wash, you can use a damp cloth to wipe your car clean.

3. Cover your outdoor pool when not in use. This will help keep the pool clean and reduce the number of times per year that your pool needs to be drained and re-filled.

4. Fix your leaking pipes and faucets. Check your indoor and outdoor pipes for leaks and have them fixed or replaced immediately. For pipes that are hidden underground or are behind walls, you can hire a professional service to check them using leak-detection technology. Although you may need to fork out some money especially if you do have leaks, the amount of money you save on your water bills will definitely be worth it in the long run.

5. Use water-consuming machines only at full loads. This refers to washing machines, dishwashers and garbage disposal units. Because these machines use large volumes of water, it is very inefficient for one to use them only for small loads.

6. Grow a water-efficient garden. Select plants that consume small volumes of water. Grow your lawn taller so as to provide the soil with enough shade to reduce the volume of water lost to evaporation. Layer your soil with organic material that will help hold moisture and keep water-consuming weeds at bay.

7. Never let the faucet run unnecessarily. Use a tumbler when brushing your teeth, and thaw frozen meat by soaking it in a basin half-filled with warm water.

8. Install water-efficiency devices. You can purchase and install water-efficiency devices such as low-flow faucets and shower heads as well as trigger-controlled garden hoses. These devices are reasonably priced, easy to install, and will go a long way in cutting your water consumption.

9. Take quick showers. Taking a shower consumes less water than taking a bath. Minimize your water consumption by shutting off the shower when soaping or shampooing your hair.

10. Purchase water-efficient appliances. When replacing appliances or purchasing new ones for your home, look for appliances that are certified to be water-efficient. Many appliance companies now offer washing machines and dishwashers that consume less water than previous models.