Off the Urban Grid

Water Saving Tips

There are some clear ways to conserve water such as taking shorter showers and not letting the water run while you brush your teeth or wash your face, but what are the less obvious ones? Saving your water requires awareness, diligence, consistency and persistence, but once you get in a habit, you will reap the rewards: extra money in your wallet and a spare water supply. Making a few simple changes to your lifestyle is all you need to do, and below are some water saving tips to help you get started.

Harvesting the rain from your roof and gutters is a way to preserve your drinking water for drinking. Water from rain barrels can be used to hydrate your garden and plants. Also, if you invest in a rain barrel with a filter, you can have an extra supply of drinking water. This option is wise when you live in drier climates or areas that receive little rainfall.

Pools in the backyard are enjoyable, but it can be a water-wasting machine. In order to combat this, set rules for your family and friends on diving and splashing, because these activities displace the water in the pool. Another tip for pools is to keep the temperature low and cover it after you’re done swimming. Regular maintenance such as manual filter cleaning and adding the appropriate amount of chemicals can eliminate the need to refill too.

Your house’s water meter can give you an idea on how much water is being used. However, it’s not going to make you aware of anything unless you know how to read it. There are different types of meters (straight-reading meter and round-reading meter), but once you understand it, you can determine if there are any leaks.

There are a plethora of ways to conserve water such as skipping the plate rinse before loading the dishwasher and storing drinking water in pitchers. Just remember that the more water you save, the more you will have on those non-rainy days.

Tags: preserve drinking water, swimming pool rules, water meter, water saving tips