World Water Day!

World Water Day March 22, 2019

Water conservation is becoming an increasingly important issue. Billions of people all over the world struggle to gain access to clean water regularly. Even in Canada thousands of people are living without access to clean water.

Average Canadians use approximately 329 liters a day; a valuable resource which we regularly take for granted. With these numbers in mind, homeowners have a responsibility to be mindful about their water use. In honor of World Water Day (March 22), we have come up with ten ways that you can conserve water in your home and save you money as well.

Install an Efficient Shower Head

While cutting down on time spent in the shower can undoubtedly help reduce water usage; installing an efficient shower head is also a great option. Installing a showerhead that is intended to save water can reduce consumption by thousands of gallons. One handy tip to determine whether you need a new shower head is to place a five-gallon bucket in the bathtub underneath the shower head. Turn on the water. If the bucket fills in less than two minutes, you may want to consider a showerhead with lower flow.

Come into the Better Baths showroom today to discuss showerhead options.

Install an Efficient Toilet

It may come as no surprise that the toilet is the biggest home culprit when it comes to water usage. Toilets made in the late ’80s and early ’90s used a significant amount of water compared to more modern ones. In this case, if your toilet was installed before 1993, you may want to consider an upgrade. Dual flush toilets are great, and a reasonably priced option which reduces water use to as little as one gallon a flush.

Come into the Better Baths showroom today and we can help you pick our a new efficient toilet.

Adjust Washer Settings for the Proper Load Size

Canadians spend about 20% of their water usage on laundry (Environment and Climate Change Canada). This number increases when homeowners fail to be mindful of the load size in their washer. Before piling clothes into the machine, adjust the settings to reflect the proper load size. It is only a minor adjustment; however, it could make a significant impact.

Turn Off The Tap

Most people run the kitchen tap to wait until the water runs cold before putting it in the pitcher. Running the valve for a long time is wasteful. Instead, fill your pitcher and place it in the fridge to cool. If you need cold water immediately, try homemade ice cubes in your cup!

The same idea stands when brushing your teeth, doing dishes, or shaving. Try to avoid running the tap at all costs.

Fix Leaks

It can be tempting to avoid fixing a leak if it is not causing a significant issue in your home. However, over time the smallest hole can add up to a big waste in water. Whether it is your tap, toilet, or showerhead, even a tiny leak can result in gallons of lost water throughout a year. Target the leak and fix it to save water and money.

Insulate Pipes

Especially in older homes, pipes can be exposed to the cold which makes water take longer to heat up. Taking some time to insulate pipes can save water and energy because it allows the water to heat up faster and reduces the amount of water wasted from running the tap to heat it.

Wash Dishes Mindfully

If you have a dishwasher, use it. It requires much less water than washing dishes by hand. If you have to wash dishes by hand fill one side of the sink with hot soapy water and use the other side to rinse. If you’re looking for other ways to reduce water use in the kitchen, consider a water efficient tap.

Other tips for Reducing Water Waste:

• Reuse towels by hanging them to dry.
• Monitor your water bill to identify potential leaks.
• Use a timer to regulate shower times.

Lead a Water-Friendly Lifestyle

World Water Day is the perfect time to begin thinking about ways to reduce your water consumption. Have discussions with your family members and community about the necessity of conserving water and model your commitment using these tips. We would love to help make your home more water friendly. Come into Better Baths and talk with us about increasing your home’s energy and water consumption efficiency.