by H.G. Hess

Created on: April 11, 2007   Last Updated: May 02, 2007

There are many simple ways to reduce how much water we consume. The best way is to make individual changes in your own habits by using less water. This does not mean stop drinking water! It means examining your daily habits and making changes so that you conserve more water. If everyone were to do this, we would not have to worry as much about running out of fresh water, thus ensuring the future of a better world to live in.

Here are some tips you can apply on a daily basis:

Water your lawn one less time per week. This is a common water restriction when there is a drought because people use a lot of water for their lawns.

Check your home for any leaky faucets. Those little drops add up!

When doing laundry, more is less. Instead of washing one or two delicates in your washing machine, wash by hand in a basin and then dry. Although you should not overload your washing machine, using it frequently for smaller loads is a great waste of water!

Instead of keeping the dirty dishes dry, keep them soaking in warm/hot water. Make sure you have a drain stopper for your sink though or else you will be wasting water!

Everyone knows this one: shut the water off when brushing your teeth. Do you really need water running? If you use a lot of water when brushing your teeth, fill a cup and use it instead of letting all that precious water go to waste.

Use a water bucket to wash your car. Hosing your car is a waste of water. Instead of doing this, you can use a soapy water bucket and sponge your car. You can also use a regular bucket of water to wash it off. If you need to hose your car, first make sure you have cleaned all parts with a cloth or sponge, then give it a quick rinse-off.

Minimize the flushing. Most people will not want to do this, understandably. However, it does save many gallons of water to flush less frequently. If you are one of those people who flushes more than necessary, flush less. Also, if you find yourself flushing more frequently because the toilet doesn't work properly, get it fixed! If you notice work or public bathrooms doing this, make sure to notify them. This is a major waste of water, and you could be the complaint that gets them to make a change.

My last suggestion is more for public places, buildings,etc. If you see a waste of water, such as overwatering plants or broken toilets, complain, complain, complain! Be a big mouth, whistle-blower. Write a letter, call the manager, do whatever you can, and get others to join your fight! Although you might be a pest to some people, you'll be making a big difference!

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