Water-Efficient Habits For You And Your Family

New Year’s resolutions vary from person to person and can include a wide range of things. Statistically, most people make a resolution related to their diet or exercise habits. Things like eating better, going to the gym, and cutting back on sugar are all popular resolutions each year.

Others might include traveling more or being more proactive about communicating with friends that live far away. As you are thinking about which resolutions you are going to add to your list, make sure to include water conservation.

Here are some ways that you and your family can be sure to save water in 2016:

• Don’t let the water faucet run while you are brushing your teeth. By turning off the water faucet while you and your family are brushing your teeth, you could save nearly 3,000 gallons of water each year. Imagine 3,000 milk jugs lined up in your yard and that is how much water you will save at the end of 2016.
• Rather than washing dishes by hand, make sure to fill the dishwasher completely and run it. Your dishwasher is designed to use the same amount of water no matter how full it is. So, if you only fill it half-full, then the same amount of water will be used as if it was full. Save water by always washing a full load of dishes in your dishwasher.
• Keep a filter pitcher in your refrigerator for drinking water. Each time you need hot water, let the cold water run into the pitcher to fill it rather than letting it run down the sink. Letting water run down the sink, while waiting for hot water is the #1 way that water is waste in homes across the Country.
• Check the efficiency of your showerhead and sink faucets to make sure they only use the amount of water necessary when they are turned on. Run a test on your showerhead, and if it fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, start shopping for a low-flow option.

Add these tips to your family’s day-to-day routine to ensure the water-efficiency of your home in 2016. Water conservation is a great New Year’s resolution but, it takes commitment to stick with it. These tips can help!