We all know we are supposed to conserve water, but here in Minnesota with water all around, do these small everyday decisions make any difference? Is it worth your time to change your habits to conserve water? Yes! Conserving water means conserving energy and resources. If you are connected to a city’s water system, any water that runs down the drain goes to the wastewater treatment facility. All the water entering the facility needs to be treated which takes both money and energy. Any water that you conserve is water that you do not have to pay for. It is much more efficient to save water by shutting off the tap when not using it then to let it flow down the drain to the wastewater treatment facility then have it pumped back to you. Plus, when hot water is wasted, you not only pay for the water but also for the energy to heat it, only to have it flow down the drain.
Here are some ideas for saving water around your home:
Keep drinking water in your refrigerator rather than running the faucet until water gets cold.
Shut off the tap when brushing your teeth and when soaping up in the shower.
Install a low-flow showerhead that uses less than 2 gallons a minute of water.
Wash a full load in the clothes washer and dishwasher to get the most for your washing.
Compost your vegetable and fruit scraps rather than using the sink garbage disposal.
Wash fruits and vegetables in a bowl of water rather than running the tap.
Fix any leaky faucets or toilets. You can save over 100 gallons of water per week!
We can all do our part for water conservation. The small decisions we make everyday make a difference!