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A good mind is a terrible thing to waste and a good mind would certainly not want to waste a precious resource like water. The folks at Energy Star have put together some ways that the nation wastes water (it’s a lot of water too!) and a few ways to plug those holes for some big savings in return. What are some ways to reduce water waste?

As we enter the holiday shopping season, we try very hard conserve one resource, money! But a lot of money can be saved by conserving another resource, water. You already know that good drinking water is one of the most scarce resources on Earth and that first world nations have very easy, frequent access to water, but the amount of water wasted in an average household is pretty alarming. Here’s a quick walkthrough of some ways to prevent water waste, lower your water bill, and be good stewards of the Earth. 

Those few moments:

You know those few moments that you let the faucet run before the water gets to the cool temperature you enjoy? Sure, it cools the water down to a nice and cool sip-able temperature, but all those open tap moments combined are quite a waste of water. In fact, after about 30 seconds worth of open faucet time, you’ve already wasted one gallon of precious water! 

Bottle up some water and put it in the fridge to prevent those moments of water waste every time you’re at the faucet! Getting the desired water temperature is a huge water waster when both heating it up and cooling it down to ideal temperatures. 

Also, let's face it, our parents were right, we should not leave the tap running while brushing our teeth. This is an easy fix and all that wasted water adds up over time. This could save 5 gallons or so every time you want to clean those choppers. 

In the garden:

Gardening is one of the most popular hobbies in the United States - a great chance to be outside, design and develop your perfect garden landscape, and get some fruits or veggies as an extra bonus. Here, too, water is being wasted, and some simple tweaks can make a world of difference. 

A lot of folks plant exotic plants, which certainly make for some unique garden experiences, but they require a lot of water too. Native plants have evolved to thrive in the existing environment, including surviving on the amount of water available. Planting native species requires far less water and is helpful for regional pollinators too! A double win for Planet Earth and your water costs!

Also, watering your garden in the afternoon leads to water loss from evaporation. Mornings are suggested for more efficient water use!

Then there’s potty-time:

Hey, when you gotta go, you gotta go, but sometimes old toilets gotta go! Toilets installed before 1992 can use between 3 to 7 gallons per flush while newer toilets only use about 1.5 gallons. 

Remember folks, every flush counts! 

Your Driveway, Sidewalks, and Walkways:

Paved spaces like driveways and sidewalks occasionally need a little cleaning. Some folks like a spotless place to walk or park their cars. While we are all in favor of a clean area, we want to nudge you to consider not using a hose to clean those areas. Sweeping these paved spaces would not only eliminate that water use/waste entirely but would also slowly make your arms buff. Saving water and getting upper arms in Vin Diesel condition? Bonus!

Shower your loved ones with gifts:

After all this reduced water waste has lowered your water bill, you may find yourself with some extra cash. So, for the holiday season, perhaps pass on the water savings with some water-friendly gifts. 

Are you looking for that perfect gift for that special someone in your life this holiday season? How about a water aerator?!? Showerheads that mix air with water create a stronger flow while reducing the amount of water used. 

High efficiency showerheads save up to 3,500 gallons a year, good savings for your wallet too!

Summing it all up:

These are some simple ways to save on water costs at home. While the global population continues to rise and drinking water becomes more and more of a precious resource, these ideas will not only help with savings at home, but also will be an excellent step towards the larger movement of water conservation. 

These are small suggestions on some quick savings that could really make a big splash in reducing your water bill this holiday season! 

Only about 3% of all the water on Earth is fresh water - what we need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. Conserving water for the global population is an important responsibility that falls in all of our hands. If you have access to water, enjoy it, use it, and conserve it where you can! 

A friendly reminder to drink responsibly.