Tips For Saving Water While Staying at Home

We’re all spending a lot more time at home because of COVID-19, which means we’re all using more water at home, too. And that’s OK — LCA crews are always hard at work, 24-7, to ensure your water is clean and safe.

But that doesn’t mean we all shouldn’t be taking steps to conserve water, too. Water conservation just makes sense — and cent$.

Here are some easy (and money-saving) tricks and tips to lower your water footprint. The best part is, they’ll still be effective after the lockdown ends.

Around the House

  • Collect water used for cooking pasta or vegetables. Once it has cooled, use it to water plants, make a base for a broth or gravy, or even vegetable stock for a soup.
  • When changing the water in a pet’s bowl, use the old water on house plants rather than pouring it down the drain.
  • Keep a jug next to the kitchen tap to collect water that would otherwise go down the drain when you wait for the water to heat up. Use it to water houseplants, or in the garden. 
  • Skip the washing machine — a quick iron will freshen up any shirt you’ve been wearing for those online meetings.
  • Minimize garbage disposal use (try composting instead!).

 

In the Bathroom

  • Take showers, not baths (unless you need one to relax*). Set a timer, or put on your favorite 4-minute song and try to shower before it ends. There’s even a Waterwise Shower Playlist on Spotify (yes, really!).
  • Save that shower for after your home workout or project.
  • Try turning the water off in-between washing your body, shampooing and conditioning.
  • Place a bucket in the shower to collect excess water – you can use this to flush the toilet or water non-edible plants. 
  • Avoid shaving with the shower or tap running — use a small bowl of water instead.
  • *Taking a bath to relax? Don’t fill to the top; afterward, save the water in buckets to flush the toilet or water non-edible plants.
  • Check your toilet for leaks — it’s easy!
  • Research suggests that your hair thrives when you don’t wash it as frequently. Cutting down on washing it will save not only water, but shampoo and conditioner too!
  • Flush only human waste and toilet paper (clogs waste water and can get expensive).
  • Check your plumbing for leaks (and fix them).
  • Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes.
  • Don’t pre-rinse dishes.
  • Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving.
  • Purchase only water-efficient plumbing fixtures.

 

Lawn and Garden

  • Weed and mulch vegetable and flower beds. Add 2-3 inches of mulch to the soil surface.
  • Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation.
  • Tune-up automatic irrigation systems.
  • Use weather-based controllers on automatic irrigation systems.
  • Never leave a hose running; always use a shut-off nozzle.
  • Check for (and fix) leaks.
  • Use a broom, not a hose, to clean off sidewalks, driveways, and patios.
  • Use covers on swimming pools and hot tubs when not in use (pools can lose a ¼ inch or more of water a day due to evaporation).
  • Create a water-saving raised garden using an ancient technique.
  • Use a rain barrel.
  • Ready to get growing? Get more spring gardening tips here.

Looking for something new to teach the kids? Check out this tutorial on The Water Cycle.