4 Common-Sense Ways To Conserve Water

Water, water everywhere — in fact, about 71 percent of our planet is covered in it. But that doesn’t mean that usable forms of this valuable resource are in abundance. On the contrary, pure water is one of the most needed resources in the world for both developing and modern countries. As reported by Reuters, “By 2050 the world will have to produce 60% more food, and the global water demand for industry is predicted to increase by 400%.” That means that we’re going to be in need of pure water in the next few decades. Big time.

So what can you and your family do to help the cause? Well, the more you save water, the more drinking and irrigation water we’ll have, making it more readily available for those who need it most. And the sooner we can get used to the habits of reducing our usage, the better off we’ll be by the time any shortages hit. Here are some ways to make it happen:

1. Time your shower

You might be surprised at how much time you’re spending in the shower. As you wash and condition your hair, shave, and soap up the suds, 20-30 minutes could easily fly by. Want to know a fun and efficient way to save some time, and therefore water, in the shower? Decide how long or short you’d like your shower to be. Then, set a custom shower playlist: pick one or two songs (about five minutes each), and play them via a waterproof device like an in-shower Bluetooth speaker. Jam out in the shower to a fast and furious cleaning session. Once the playlist is over, time’s up! (Just try not to slip. Trust us on this one).

2. Don’t run the faucet while you brush your teeth

As harmless as it may seem, allowing the faucet to run while you brush your teeth wastes a lot of water. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “Just by turning off the tap while you brush your teeth in the morning and before bedtime, you can save up to 8 gallons of water! That adds up to more than 200 gallons.” Now that’s a lotta wata that can be saved by the simple action of reaching down and turning the handle.

3. Don’t let the water run while you hand wash dishes.

Hand washing your dishes might be the only option for you and your family — but that doesn’t mean you need to waste all of your water while you’re at it! Instead of letting the water run over each dish, fill your sink with warm, soapy water, and wash them the old-fashioned way!

4. Let your garden and yard breathe.

Many places in the country are lucky enough that rain will take care of the watering for you. If you don’t live in one of those areas, be sure to water your yard and garden only sparingly, especially if you live in drought-prone areas, like Southern California or Arizona. We all like happy gardens, but don’t give your plants too much love! Leaving your sprinkler on all day while you head to work won’t just hike up that water bill; it could also drown your plants, killing them from the roots up!

And, if your kids are looking for something fun to do outdoors this summer, your yard and our planet might be happier if you choose a more earth-friendly option than, say, hopping through the sprinkler for hours.

One of our favorite activities? Jumping around on a gigantic outdoor trampoline, of course. It’s the perfect way to get in hours of fun and exercise!