When you turn on the tap, the water that flows out of it is like liquid gold going down the drain. Water is that precious. Water makes up over 71 percent of the Earth’s surface, but only 2.5 percent of this water is fresh, and only less than 1 percent of this is fit for human consumption.
So, we have all the reasons to conserve our water. Here are a few ideas of how we can preserve this precious substance.
Repair Drips
You need to survey your Lakeland apartment or house for leaks. This is your first line of defense in conserving water. You may see slow or occasional drips as no big deal, but, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this can add up to about 10,000 gallons per annum.
So, check your bathroom and kitchen faucets, pipes and toilets. You can accomplish this by reviewing your water meter. Create a session of two hours where you will turn off all the taps, and then check the water meter before and after this session.
If you see any changes in the reading, then you have a leak. But if you are unable to pinpoint the location of the leak and repair it yourself, enlist the services of a professional.
Harvest Water
It may sound strange, but you can conserve water by harvesting it and then reusing it through several methods. Harvesting means capturing rain water and then using it to hydrate your gardens and lawns. There are different types of water harvesting apparatus that you can either install on the roof or stand-alone in your yard.
Revamp Your Outdoor Areas
If you have a yard, there are several methods you can, and should use to conserve water. The lawns are known to consume the largest amount of water in the household. You can adjust your watering schedule to a monthly activity (in summer you can increase the frequency). Also, you can use more efficient methods to water your lawn.
For instance, the drip system applies water slowly and directly to the ground. According to EPA, the drip irrigation method uses between 18 and 52 percent less water than the ground sprinklers. Adding a thick layer of mulch (about three inches) will reduce the need for excess watering.
Upgrade Your Appliances & Fixtures
Another method you can use to conserve water without too much hassle is upgrading your fixtures. You can start by installing faucet aerators in the sinks, and low-flow showers in your bathrooms. You can find high-quality accessories for about $10-20.
According to the US Department of Energy, you can save about 25 to 60 percent of the water. Ensure these appliances have a rating of 2.5 gallons per minute or less. Also, you can replace your old appliances such as the washing machine and dishwasher with high-efficiency ENERGY STAR-approved ones.
Change Your Habits
You can preserve a lot of water without spending anything by changing your habits. For instance, while brushing your teeth, don’t leave the faucet running. According to EPA, you can save up to eight gallons of water per day by turning off the tap.
Do the same when rinsing the vegetables or washing dishes. Also, you can start taking short showers and avoiding baths. Furthermore, don’t use your toilet as a waste basket. The constant flushing of the toilet is a waste of water.
Water is precious. Thus, you need to conserve it by all means. So, repair all leaks, harvest water, revamp your outdoor areas, and upgrade the appliances in your Lakeland home.
Put savings in your pocket this month by cutting the water usage in your Lakeland, FL home. Call Samco Plumbing today at (863) 509-1718, and see how much you can save this month.