Water is a necessity. You need water for various activities and tasks – taking a bath, washing the dishes, cooking, gardening, and doing the laundry, among many others. However, despite its value, people often take it for granted.
Whether at home, in the restaurant, or even on the road, there’s almost always somebody wasting water. At home, how many times have you reprimanded your son or daughter for forgetting to turn off the faucet after brushing their teeth? While eating in a restaurant, do you ask for water only when you’re sure to drink it, or do you ask just because you can? While driving, how many broken fire hydrants spewing out water did you see?
The Global Water Situation
In the Second UN World Water Development Report, an emphasis is given to humanity’s increasing demand for and the scarcity of safe, potable drinking water. If the consumption levels remain the same, approximately 2/3 of the world’s population may not have enough water supply by the year 2025. Some areas may have water, but they won’t be safe for human use. By this time, water purification systems would have become a need for most homes. For other households, water rationing may have to be the standard practice.
These scenarios can be prevented if every household seriously considers changing their lifestyle by making water efficiency a regular practice.
Why is Water Efficiency Important?
For some people, simple acts like turning off the faucet after and when not in use may be a small thing; but it becomes entirely significant when you consider the thousands (or millions) of homes that are also doing it. One action multiplied several times over is already a big impact.
Water efficiency is not the same as water conservation, which is concerned with decreasing the amount of waste. Efficient water practices are about restricting the use of water and wastage. It also involves behavioral and lifestyle changes. It does not involve environmental agencies or organizations; it involves consumers willing to contribute simple acts that can help lessen water wastage.
Making Your Home Energy Efficient
The best way for your home to become energy efficient is to be aware of what you should and should not do – to follow standards and make necessary changes in the way you do things. Here are some water efficiency facts to help you start:
1. One American consumes approximately 88 gallons of water per day in a household.
You do not have to completely stop using water in your home – that’s not possible. You simply have to learn to use it more efficiently. Reduce consumption by choosing only what’s necessary, such as washing the dishes and cooking. You don’t need to do the laundry every day or every other day.
You can also reduce the volume of water you use for washing the dishes. Other household tasks that need water use, like gardening, should only be done when necessary. Recycling water is also a good idea. For example, the water you use for washing the dishes can be used to water the plants in your garden.
2. Doing your laundry is one of the activities that consume a significant amount of water - around 22% of total home use, to be exact. Ensure that your washing machine load size is ideal for the volume of clothes you are about to wash.
Also, always use cold water for your washing machine to help bring down energy use.
3. Your lawn may also be a big water user. More or less 50% of household water consumption is attributed to outdoor elements.
As such, lawn sprinkling should be done in the early hours of the morning, typically around 4 am and 6 am. These are the hours when the demand for water is low.
4. Front-loading washing machines are typically more water and energy-efficient than the majority of top-loading washing machines. Front-loading ones normally need only more than 20 gallons per load, while top-loading ones need at least 40 gallons for every load. However, top-loading washing machines are now sold in appliance stores.
5. Although dishwashing contributes less than 2% of your water footprint, you can still wash the dishes more efficiently.
If you can afford to, use a dishwashing machine as it is way more water-efficient than regular dishwashing by hand.
Hand washing the dishes consumes around 20 gallons of water, while standard dishwashers use around six gallons per wash. Dishwashers with an Energy Star are even more efficient, needing just four gallons of water for every load.
Lastly, make sure your dishwasher is fully loaded with dirty dishes ready to be washed. This helps reduce water usage and wastage.
6. You need coffee beans to make good coffee – and growing them will need water. Every cup of coffee that perks up your mood uses more or less 55 gallons of water for growing the beans.
7. You don’t have to wash your car every day or even every week. Each time you do, though, you consume around 50 gallons of water. So schedule your car washing only when it is really needed.
The best way to practice water efficiency is to use only what you need and when needed. Additionally, you should encourage all your family members to follow your lead. If everyone in the household is committed to changing their behavior and lifestyle, reducing water use and wastage will soon be a normal thing for you.
About the author
Rachel Watson is the Senior Content Editor of Precision Air & Plumbing, a full-service HVAC, plumbing, and home performance contractor operating in Chandler, Arizona. Rachel enjoys yoga and writing articles about how to make home living more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
