In a conversation with a Mitcham plumber, we talked about some of the stuff we learned in science class. One of the things we learn is that water covers 71% of the Earth. At first glance, you would think that’s a lot of water, but in reality, only 3% of that is fresh water. And out of the 3%, only 1% is suitable for drinking.
It’s a pretty bleak truth, isn’t it?
In some parts of the world, people don’t have access to clean water. In fact, devastating statistics tell us that 844 million people in the world – that’s one in 10 – don’t have clean water.
It might seem like too little an effort to make a difference, but every little thing we do contributes towards water conservation. And as you will soon discover, what you do will not only help save water but save you from skyrocketing water bills, too!
Water conservation starts with you
A Proverb once said, “From small beginnings come great things”. Indeed.
If you want to play your part in saving water, you can start small and you can start at home.
A couple of weeks ago, we wrote about how you can save water with efficient appliances and fixtures. Besides choosing more efficient water fixtures, there are also other simple ways you can save water.
Start in the shower
Nothing can be more refreshing than taking a shower. And if you are thinking of how you can still enjoy your shower while in the process of saving water, the answer quite obviously lies in how long you spend there.
Cut your shower time
We joke that our best thoughts hit us in the shower, so put a little pressure on these thoughts by cutting the time you spend under the hot water!
Though it might take a little effort to get used to a shorter shower, it’s totally doable.
To know how long your shower has been going, try listening to the music. Aim to spend no more than “two songs” in the shower – at a 3-4-minute average per song, you can limit your shower time to 6-8 minutes.
It’s as straightforward as this: the shorter the shower, the less water you use.
Can you turn off the water while washing your hair?
Another easy and simple way to save water is to turn the shower off when you are shampooing and conditioning your hair and while lathering your body with soap.
Only turn the shower back on to rinse. (We admit though that this is a little easier to do during summer!)
Check for shower leaks!
One thing you shouldn’t forget is to check if your shower is showing any signs of leaks.
A leaking shower is one of the most common plumbing problems and may cause water wastage. Check for water around the base of your shower.
Don’t forget about invisible leaks!
Not all leaks are visible to the naked eye, but how are you supposed to identify these so-called “invisible leaks”? Well the simple truth is you probably can’t… but a plumbing pro can!
During a plumbing inspection, we’ll investigate the likelihood of invisible leaks concealed behind the scenes and devise the right solution to stop this unnecessary water wastage.
Tips and tricks for your toilet
While it may not be everyone’s choice for conserving water in the toilet, flushing less often can be one of the ways you can save water in your home.
You’ve probably heard of the phrase “if it’s yellow, let it mellow; if it’s brown, flush it down”. Not only is it not the most poetic, but the idea of flushing less than usual can also give many people that “ick” feeling. Not a fan of the mellow? That’s ok – there are other things you can do!
Save water as you wait for it to heat
One great idea actually involves your shower as well. Think of your toilet and shower working hand in hand together. And all you need is a bucket.
While waiting for hot water to come through or while rinsing, collect water in the bucket.
Instead of letting water go down the drain, why not catch it and use it to flush your toilet? Kill two birds with one stone: this step is easy and efficient!
Put a stop to that leaking toilet
At best, it’s an annoyance. At worst, it wastes water and drives up your water bill.
Yep, we’re talking about a leaking toilet.
No matter how much effort you put into saving water, you can’t do it efficiently is there’s a leak somewhere. Let a professional plumber assess your toilet situation!
Know your kitchen
Water plays such an important role in our kitchen activities. Whether we are cooking or cleaning the kitchen, water is almost always being used.
With all the things going around in your kitchen, you might think it would be hard to practice conserving water. Truth be told, it’s actually not. It’s all about making baby steps and finding ways to save water in almost everything you do in your kitchen.
Besides choosing a water-efficient dishwasher (which we have mentioned here), there are a lot of simple steps that you can take in your kitchen.
Washing fruits and veggies
One simple step that you can do is to wash your fruits or veggies in a bowl or in a sink filled with water.
This is far more efficient than leaving the water running while washing. Once you are done with washing your produce, you can even reuse the water by watering some indoor plants or replenishing that flower vase’s water.
How do you boil?
Another easy step that you can do is to make sure you use the correct pot when boiling water.
The smaller the pot, the lesser the water. If you’re planning to boil a few or small veggies, don’t use the largest pot you have. Just use the appropriate pot size and the right amount of water.
Save money, save the Earth
Incorporating easy and practical water saving tips into our lives is really not that difficult.
As you get better at identifying areas where you can save, you will find out that conserving water will not only lower your output but will, in turn, save you money and help save our planet.
At first, you may not see a huge difference when you start taking these water savings tips. However, if you start comparing your water consumption before and after you started conserving water, you will see the difference!
Start saving water now! Need help? Call a plumber in Mitcham!
If you plan to start conserving and saving water, there is no better time to start than right NOW!
Before you start your water saving party, make sure to call professional plumber in Mitcham to check and to maintain your home’s plumbing system.
Your conservation efforts can only be maximised if your plumbing system is working well. Make sure there are no leaks and damages in your water pipes!
If you’re a homeowner in Mitcham, Donvale or any other surrounding suburbs who is eager to save water and enjoy lower water bills, work with the H2-Pro team! Call us on 9844 1444 today and start spreading your water saving tips! Alternatively, fill in this form and we will be in touch.
