As much as {most|the majority} of us {want|would like} to {decrease|lower} water consumption around the {home|house}, we seldom do {anything|much} about it. So the next time {you are|you’re} about to {fork out money for|pay} your water bill, {pause for a few minutes|think about this}. Consider that the average {house|household} uses 130,000 gallons of water {every year|per year|annually}, and without {any|much} effort or any noticeable lifestyle {change|differences}, you and your family could {decrease|cut|lower} water use by as much as 35% (44,000 gallons). {With that knowledge|Now}, multiply {your|the} current water bill {paid|you’re paying} by 65% and {check out|take notice|see} if saving that much on {every|each} bill is worth the time and effort to switch to {the following|these} recommended water-saving {suggestions|habits}.
- Check all your faucets and {household|accessible} pipes for leaks. {A|The} drip from a single worn washer can {consume|waste} 20 gallons of water {a|per} day.
- {Look at|Check} all toilets for leaks by putting a {small amount|little} food coloring in the tank. Then check back in {30 minutes|a half-hour} to see if the color appears in the bowl. By replacing the toilet flapper and other {important|necessary} parts, you’ll save {many|untold} wasted gallons.
- Install aerators in faucets that don’t already have these inexpensive water-conserving devices. Kitchen faucets at 2.2 gpm (gallons per minute) and bathroom faucets at 1.5 gpm or lower are {suggested|recommended}. You’ll use {much|a lot} less water because the flow will seem stronger.
- Low-flush toilets use 1-2 gallons per flush instead of 3-5 gallons. If your toilets aren’t low-flush, you can still lower water use by adjusting to 3 gallons in the tank, which often works{the same|just as well}.
- Put these {habits|suggestions} into practice when washing yourself, your clothes, your food or dishes and cars: take shorter showers; turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving; {utilize|use} the sink stopper when {washing|cleaning} vegetables or hand washing dishes and glasses; do only full loads of clothes or dishes; use a bucket of soapy water to wash the cars and limit hose use to rinsing away the suds and dirt.
- Cut down on {outdoor|outside} water use by planting drought-resistant grasses, shrubs and plants. Mulch around plants and trees to reduce water evaporation, and avoid watering lawns on windy days.
- When watering lawns, limit to an inch per week, apply in the early morning, and leave the grass taller (up to 3 inches) to better retain moisture. Put an old tuna can on the lawn when watering and when it’s full, you’ve reached an inch. Use a broom or blower to clear sidewalks and driveways {instead of|rather than} hosing them to remove leaves or grass clippings.