How to Conserve Water in Practical Everyday Steps

Most of the U.S. has been plaque by a severe drought and economical terminal this summer; creating a concern of water conservation everywhere. This article provides practical everyday solutions to conserving water this summer. Many of these tips will also help lower the cost of your water bill as it reduces the amount of water you use.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   Catch The Drips
   Most AC units drip off condensation that is clean useful water. Placing a bucket under this drip can save lots of wasted water. I like to use this water for my garden or outdoor animals. It is perfectly safe because it is caused from water in the warm air condensing on the sides of the cold AC unit; like a cold drink outside would do.

2. 
    

   To fill or not to fill.
   Your washing machine has settings to control the amount of water used. Most of us will benefit from putting the setting to medium load instead of large. An easy way to tell if your putting too much water in your washer is to watch and see if there is an excessive amount of water over the top of your clothes.

3. 
    

   Watered down
   Most of us have good intentions to drink a lot of water during the day. However we waste a lot of it in the process. I find old water bottles half full in my car and watered down water glasses throughout the house. Just because you didn't finish it doesn't mean it's no longer useable. This water is good for indoor plants or animals. I use it to fill up my dog's bowl and have not once had to use my tap water in the past year for this.

4. 
    

   Don't flush it away
   You can use food coloring in your toilet tank to double check and make sure your water is not leaking into the bowl. You can also place a brick into your tank to take up some of the wasted water space every time you flush the commode.

5. 
    

   Top it off
   Most pools and hot tubs come with a cover; use it! Covering them can save you thousands of gallons that will otherwise evaporate this year. Along the same note, water your plants when it is cooler outside to keep this water from evaporating before it reaches the roots of your plants.

6. 
    

   Go out and play
   When it is hot outside find a park that reuses its own water. Supporting places like this can help the environment and not waste your water supply.

Resources

• eHow Home and Garden Topic Guide

[aglen612]

on 8/8/2009 Great tips! 5*

[chrisanimelo444]

on 8/6/2009 Great article! I would hate to waste water.

[sowomom1]

on 8/3/2009 Visiting in So. Cal. and they need good help like this! You're doing such a great job here!

[loriab]

on 8/3/2009 Great tips, they seem very common sense after reading them, but I never would have thought about re-using the air conditioning condensation
Thanks, 5*