Ways in Which We Waste Water

Water is essential to all life on our planet. Some people question what it really means to "waste water." After all, it falls from the sky, and there appears to be a never-ending supply flowing from the tap. But the reality is that water on earth is finite; we use and reuse it.



Wasting water means that we needlessly drain our drinking supply and cause local wastewater treatment plants to use more energy to clean the water that has gone down the drain.



According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans use over 43 billion gallons of publicly supplied water every day. The less water we use, the more water and energy we save and the less we have to interfere with natural waterways by building reservoirs and dams, which disturb plant and animal habitats.

Laundry and Dish Washing

• Older, more inefficient washing machines can use more than 40 gallons of water per load of laundry. By washing only large loads or adjusting the water levels to match the size of the load, you will ensure that you maximize your water usage per load. The same goes for the dishwasher: turn it on only when it is full, and you will use less water than you would washing several small loads. It is no longer necessary to rinse dishes before loading them, which is also a big water savings.

  Replacing your old clothes washer might be the best idea. According to the Eartheasy website, New Energy Star rated washers use 35 to 50 percent less water and 50 percent less energy per load than older models.

Older Toilets

• Toilets that were purchased in 1992 or earlier use between three and five gallons of water per flush. Newer, more efficient toilets only use between one and two gallons per flush. Older toilets in your home waste about 60 percent more water than their newer counterparts.

Running the Tap

• Running the tap while brushing your teeth and washing dishes wastes clean, usable water. The EPA estimates that the average bathroom faucet releases two gallons of water every minute. Each person could conserve about 240 gallons of water per month by turning off the water during tooth brushing. Don't rinse your vegetables under running water; rinse them in a pan of water instead. You can then use the pan of water for your houseplants or garden.

Large Lawns

• Large areas of grass in suburban neighborhoods require frequent watering to keep them healthy and green. By eliminating most of the lawn and replacing it with shrubs, flowers and ornamental grasses native to your area (which will require less watering), your landscape will be easier to maintain and use less water.

Rainwater

• Water that collects on rooftops and flows into our gutters and downspouts can be used for landscaping, but most people ignore this free source of water. Instead of letting gutter water flow into a driveway or other barren area, create a path that allows it to water the grass or surrounding plants. You can also consider catching rainwater in a barrel for later use.