15 Easy and Effective Methods for Conserving Water

Here’s a fun fact: Approximately 71 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered with water, which makes our planet a very watery place. When you factor in all the freshwater lakes, rivers, and oceans in the world, having the convenience of running water come out of drains in Toronto is something that we may take for granted.

Before the modern faucet was invented, how did people obtain water? Some people dug up the earth and used wells, while others collected water from rivers with big vessels and pots. Now, imagine the efforts they had to put into their daily lives just to get enough water.

Even if you have running water flowing through your plumbing system, it doesn’t hurt to conserve water as it can benefit the environment and save you money in the long run. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at 15 methods for conserving water that is both easy and effective!

1. Take shorter showers

The easiest way to start conserving water is to take shorter showers. How do you know how long you’re taking them? The best approach to take shorter showers is to place a kitchen electronic timer on your bathroom counter, set it to 10 minutes (or even 5 minutes for a quick super-saver shower), and before you begin, press the start button. Once the timer goes off, end your shower and dry off.

2. Use your dishwasher for full loads

Instead of manually washing your dishes, use your dishwasher, as it uses less water to clean a full load of dishes. Keep in mind, though, to save water efficiently, only run your dishwasher when it’s full. If you run it while it’s partially full, it’s counterintuitive, as you’ll end up using more water.

3. Use buckets to wash your car

Instead of using a water hose to wash your car, fill up two or three buckets of water and soak your sponges and towels in those buckets to wash your car. Then, dispose of the dirty water and fill them up again, and use that water to rinse your car of any soap residue or dirt.

4. Do your laundry at night

Did you know that using water during the day costs more than it does at night? That’s because the majority of people use more water during general business hours and the water companies’ filtration systems are pushed to the limits. So, doing a full load of laundry at night during off-peak times between 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. will conserve water and also reduce your monthly water bill.

5. Keep bottled water in the refrigerator

Alternating from drinking tap water to bottled water reduces the practice of running tap water. Plus, it’s convenient to pop open the fridge and grab some bottles of water to drink at dinner time with the family.

6. Keep the tap off while not in use

A lot of groundwater is wasted every day by running your tap for no reason. Sometimes, we turn on the tap and let the water run while getting some cleaning towels together or rinsing fruits and vegetables.

Instead, turn the tap on while doing the activity and don’t leave it running. Turn it off once you’re done. This simple practice can save a lot of water and keep your drains in Toronto clear from unwanted debris getting flushed down your drains due to over-usage.

7. Turn off the water while shaving

Similar to leaving the tap on when not in actual use, many people run the water while shaving. To conserve water, fill the bottom of your sink with a small amount of warm water that you can comfortably dip your razor in. Then, shave and rinse your shaver in the water in the sink.

8. Take baths instead of showers

If you have more time, just fill your bathtub to the halfway point and do your shower routine during a bath. You’ll save a little bit more money on your water bill and conserve more water compared to a 10-minute shower.

9. Install eco-friendly shower heads

The next time you’re at your neighbourhood hardware store, check out the bath and shower section and you’ll see several inexpensive easy-to-install shower heads that are eco-friendly and can reduce your shower flow immensely. Installing eco-friendly shower heads is a good investment to cut down your water bill while also conserving water.

10. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth

Similar to shaving, leaving the tap off while you brush your teeth is an easy and effective way to conserve water. Once you finish brushing your teeth, turn on the faucet to fill a cup with water, turn it off, then proceed with rinsing.

11. Thaw frozen food naturally

By taking out frozen food the day of cooking or overnight (especially if it’s been frozen for a few months), it gives you plenty of time to thaw your food naturally instead of running water over it. If you don’t want to risk losing its flavour or consistency, thaw your frozen food in cold water by placing the package in a bowl, pot, or sink.

12. Cover the swimming pool

If you’re a swimming pool owner, covering your outdoor pool while you’re not using it, especially overnight, can reduce evaporation. This is because the pool cover conserves accumulated heat and reduces the chances of dirt and debris getting into the pool.

13. Water your lawn when needed

During the spring and summer seasons, watering your lawn regularly doesn’t allow it to cool down, and you thus risk overwatering it. Try this little test: Step on some grass on your lawn. If it sits back up when you slide your foot away, then you can skip watering that day.

14. Check for leaks

An efficient way to check for leaks in your plumbing system is to utilize your water meter to look for water leaks. If you want a professional’s help with your drains in Toronto, then be sure to get your local North York plumbing services to take a look.

15. Insulate water pipes

An easy and economical way to cut down on your water bill and conserve water is to insulate your pipes with pre-slit foam pipe insulation. A professional plumber can perform these water pipe insulation services and it’s well worth the investment. Not only will you save on your water bill, but you’ll get hot water faster and minimize the energy that it takes each time you use hot water.

Contact Brothers Plumbing

If you would like a free quote to check or install your drains in Toronto, our team at Brothers Plumbing can help. You can call us at 800-741-8471 or contact us here.