It is estimated that every household could easily save 380 to 570 litres of water each day if the following suggestions were implemented:
>> Check for leaks. A dripping faucet can allow up to eight litres per hour to be wasted. Toilets are also potential problem areas. To check toilets, simply drop some food colouring into the tank and wait 15 minutes. If coloured water shows up in the bowl, you have a leak.
>> Use water-saving showerheads and faucets. High-flow showerheads spew water out at 22 to 38 litres a minute. Flow restriction devices can cut the flow in half without reducing pressure.
>> Water your lawn and plants early in the day. This practice will reduce the loss of water due to evaporation. Late watering also reduces evaporation. During the summer, water your plants slowly and infrequently. Consider drip irrigation for garden areas, which help add water only where it is needed.
>> Use a pistol-grip nozzle on your hose. When washing your car, shut off the water after each hosing. A wide-open hose can discharge upwards of 190 litres of water in just five minutes.
>> Don’t let faucets run continuously. This is especially true when shaving, brushing your teeth and rinsing the dishes. An open faucet allows 19 litres to pass in just two minutes.
>> Review your toilets’ water consumption. Don’t use your toilets as an ashtray or wastebasket. Flushing litres of water for these purposes is wasteful.
Remember, these tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue.
