Water is one of life’s most important natural resources. Imagine a day without clean drinking water to start with. On top of that, there’s a long list of inconveniences a water shortage can bring. Those alone should be more than enough to create a drive for water efficiency at home. Households are used to having water run through their homes, as provided by their local city or town supply. However, over-dependence on such will eventually lead to detrimental effects like a shortage.  

Water is a finite resource that, if overused and abused, will eventually run short of supply. Like all other resources, being efficient with water usage helps conserve such. There are many ways to practice water efficiency, and change begins at home, as discussed below.  

Tips To Improve Water Efficiency At Home

  • Install A Water Tank 

Let’s go big with the first tip to improve water efficiency at home. It’s a major investment that’ll ultimately make a significant difference in the long run. If your home doesn’t have a rainwater tank yet, consider installing one this year. As its name suggests, you’ll get to maximize rainwater and store it, then use it for all other household functions besides drinking water.  

Think about all the many ways you use water at home. A few include watering the plants, washing the car, washing dishes and laundry, flushing toilets, and many more. Using stored rainwater for those functions means great savings on your water bill and less dependence on your local water supply.  

two green tanks outside house showing improvement of water efficiency at home

There are many different water tanks to choose from, each with its features like capacity, size, and color. Take time to research your options and choose a good supplier, as unquestionable quality matters most, above anything else. Have a look at what’s on offer on this site, so you can begin searching for a good-quality water tank today.

  • Check For Water Leaks ASAP 

A small water leak may seem like something you can ignore and pay attention to for later, but even that tiny leak accumulates. When left unsolved, a slow drip of water leak amounts to an average of 15 to 20 gallons per day. That’s a lot of water waste that could’ve been used wisely instead of left dripping on the floor.  

Call a plumber as soon as the leak happens. While waiting for your trusted plumber to come, leave a basin or pail to collect the water. Use the collected water to flush your toilet or clean your bathroom.  

  • Save Up For Water-Wise Appliances 

After making an investment in a water tank, consider taking your efforts up a notch higher by investing in water-wise appliances. Your monthly budget will be happy while you’re more efficient with water usage. 

This tip is worth applying, particularly if your water-related appliances are old. As an appliance age, it could also be less efficient, which means consuming more water than is necessary. Those appliances include your dishwasher, washing machine, and even fixtures like your home’s toilets and showers.  

  • Make Changes In Your Habits 

Even if you have a water tank and water-wise appliances, those will still be futile if your habits are still wasteful. Changing habits isn’t something you’d be able to perfect overnight, but what matters most is you start. Along that end, here are a few water-efficient habits to do:  

  • If you have a bathtub, avoid using it every day. Use a shower instead, or better yet, a bucket and a dipper, as these use less water. Save the baths for your babies, young kids, or special occasions (like when you want to relax in a tub of hot water) instead.  
  • Drop the hose when watering your garden. Use a watering can and aim for the roots.  
  • Take shorter showers. Not only will you use less water, but this practice also saves you a lot of time to get through those mornings when you’re in a rush.  
  • Use a basin when washing vegetables, and then re-use the same water for your plants.  
  • Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth or shaving. It would be best if you switched it on only when needed, like when it’s time to rinse.  
  • Run your dishwasher and washing machine only on a full load, never half or, worse, less.  

Practice these habits in your household to know and experience how much water you can save.  

  • Stop Using The Toilet As A Waste Basket

Using the toilet as a wastebasket leads to dire effects: first, it causes clogs and other problems in the whole piping system; second, it leads to unnecessary excessive use of water.  

Throwing small waste in the toilet can be very tempting, given how easy it is to flush. Common culprits are cigarette ash, small pieces of paper, or wet tissue. If this is a habit you’ve practiced in your home, there is still time to change. 

Thus, you should maintain the toilet’s purpose of flushing down only human waste and toilet paper. You’ll see the difference it makes in reducing your home’s water consumption.

The Bottomline 

There are many ways to improve water efficiency at home. Being more water-efficient is a combination of small and big efforts, all of which are worth starting today. Begin with a good water tank, then change your household habits. Little by little, you may see a change with a reduction in your home’s water bill, which also means less dependence on your town’s local water supply.