Saving Water and Money – Be Water Wise

When it comes to being an adult, there are many things that you have to think of and remember to pay. Things like phone, electricity and water come to mind. Some aspects of these things are out of our control, like the price of electricity, but there are ways to help save money. Saving water and using water responsibly is one way to save money.

For most people, the water bill which arrives at the end of every month is an indication of how much water your household has used and how much money you owe in order to pay for the water usage. By putting a few plans in place, there are a few ways that households can save water and money at the same time:

KITCHEN

Most dishwashers today use less water than what you would need if you washed the dishes by hand. Invest in an energy efficient dishwasher that will save both energy and water.
When using the sink, avoid letting the tap run. Try to fill the sink once and use that same water for as many purposes as possible – e.g. wash your fruit and vegetables and then you can use the same water to wash any leftover dirty dishes.
Cook food in as little water as possible and choose the correct sized pot – larger pots require more water than the dish requires to cook.

BATHROOM

Replace your showerhead with a water wise one. These reduce the amount of water needed and only dispense the correct amount.
If you have a bath and a shower in your home, opt for a shower as they use less water than baths.
Try to keep showers to a reasonable time. Reducing your shower time can also help save water.
Turn off the tap while you’re brushing your teeth.
Check for leaks in your toilet regularly and have them replaced if you do find leaks – one drip every second equates to 18.9 litres per day!
Consider switching your toilet flush to a dual flushing system – half a flush for liquid waste and a full flush for solid waste.

THE OUTDOORS

Aerating your lawn can help water reach deeper into your lawn, thus reducing how often you need to water your lawn.
Use excess water from inside the house (like when you’re waiting for the hot water to warm up) to water the plants outside. Simply collect the cold water while it heats up in a bowl and once the water is hot, use it and then take the cold water to your plants.
Weed your garden often. Weeds compete with other plants for water which means you’ll be more prone to watering more often. Getting rid of the weeds means more water for your plants and less watering time.
Avoid watering when the wind is blowing quite strong. More water ends up being blown away than on your plants or lawn which leaves you watering more often.
Check the weather channel for rainy days and water when your area isn’t having rain.
Use a pool cover to prevent water evaporation and to keep your pool clean.
Check your pool for leaks and ensure leaks are always fixed.
When back-washing, try to use the excess water on plants and grass where possible.

GENERAL TIPS

Keep an eye on your water bill for any inconsistencies. You can quickly pick up any leaks or incidents of theft by monitoring your water bill.
Teach your kids about being water wise and encourage them to help save water.
Ensure all taps around the house are closed properly to prevent water wastage.
Run your washing machine and dishwashers only when they’re full so as to prevent unnecessary water usage.
Match the water lever to the size of the load when doing laundry.
Consider washing dark clothes in cold water as this saves water and prolongs the colour of your clothes.
On hot days, put oscillating sprinklers on the lawn and let your kids cool off whilst watering the lawn at the same time.
Take note of the season and water your plants and lawn appropriately according to how much water they need in each season.
Washing pets outside on the lawn can save water and help water your lawn at the same time.
Use a broom instead of a hose pipe to clean your patio, sidewalks and driveways as this will save water that would otherwise go down the drain.

Photo courtesy Eric Norris via Flickr