Berkey with Baby

10 Water Saving Techniques

We all need water to survive. In some parts of the world, fresh water is a luxury and there are water shortages often. Conserving water isn't just an eco-friendly initiative; it also makes good financial sense and is pretty easy to do. It takes just a few simple adjustments to our daily schedule to increasing water-use efficiency. Here are ten water saving techniques for you to consider:

 

1. Faucet Aerators

Aerators are small add-ons that you can attach to your current faucet to reduce water flow by up to 2 gallons per minute. They also improve water pressure, making it more forceful and better at rinsing and washing.

Faucet Aerators Save Water, Energy, Money

 

2. Dual Flush Toilets

When you installed a dual flush toilet it helps you conserve water because a dual flush toilet uses less water to flush than normal toilets. The added benefit to installing this type of toilet is that it is less likely to become clogged because of its design.

Dual Flush Toilets

 

3. High Efficiency Washers

Much of what makes high efficiency washers able to use up to 40% less water comes from their design. Most are front loading so the tumbling motion helps utilize gravity to wash clothes, meaning less water is needed. It also rinses in short bursts so that you use less water but get better rinsed clothes.

What is a High Efficiency Washing Machine?

 

4. Rainwater Harvesters

Rainwater Harvesting is water efficient because it recycles fallen rainwater for lawn irrigation and even drinking water. It is relatively easy to install because usually rain harvesters utilize the room and gutter systems of the home to catch and move the rainwater toward the rain catcher.

Rainwater Harvesting: An Underutilized Conservation Project

 

5. Swimming Pool Covers

If you have a pool in your yard, investing in a pool cover that fits can help save up to 1,000 gallons a month. It helps prevent water loss due to evaporation and has the added benefit of keeping your pool cleaner so you spend less time skimming it.

Water Conservation: Outside

 

6. Waterless Car Washes

Waterless car washes are a great way to help conserve water. Most hoses spray out about 10 gallons of water a minute and the average car bath takes about 80 to 140 gallons of water. Waterless car washes can help you wash your car with only 4 to 6 ounces of water per wash and they will polish your car too!

Save Water. Give Your Car a Waterless Car Wash.

 

7. Drought-Resistance Plants/Lawns (Xeriscaping)

Choosing to transform your yard with xeriscaping will help you conserve water because it focuses on selecting plants that minimize water use. Additionally, xeriscaping will help you design your yard so that it helps distribute the water more efficiently.

Conserve Water with Xeriscape Landscaping

 

8. Float Booster

When you put a float booster in your toilet you reduce the amount of water that your toilet flushes to 1 to 2 gallons instead of the 3 to 5 normal gallons per flush. It works by telling the tank ball to shut the toilet sooner when it is filling back up after a flush so you use less water. Remember to always leave 3 gallons in your toilet tank always.

Toilet Tank Water Saving Methods

 

9. Fixing Leaky Toilets/Pipes

The average home can have leaks that can waste up to 10,000 gallons of water a year. This is why fixing household leaks is so important. It's a very easy way to save lots of water and money. To see if you have a leak problem, check your monthly water usage to determine if your water usage is too high. This could indicate a serious leak issue.

Fix a Leak Week

 

10. Calculating the Water Footprint of Your Diet

Your water footprint is the amount of water you use in your home, but this doesn't just mean what you use with laundry and dish washing. The water footprint is also influenced by the type of products that you buy which includes groceries. By buying groceries that have a smaller footprint, you help to conserve water by supporting products that use less water to make.

Water Footprint Calculator

One great way to reduce your footprint? Drop the single-use plastic water bottles. Instead, start using a Berkey filter and fill up a reusable water bottle on your way out the door each day.

How Does Berkey Filter H2O?

Discover the multi-step filtering technology for filtering water.

Where is the Best Place to Buy a Berkey?

Is purchasing a Berkey worth it? Where to get the best deal?

Are Your Kids Drinking Water?

Current water treatment standards are based on adult weights.