Do your kids turn off the faucet while brushing their teeth? It can save about 4 gallons of water! These habits add up – over the course of a week a family can save enough water to fill a regular trash can. Wouldn’t you rather use that water? Give the kids a hug and encourage their pride in being good stewards of a vital natural resource.
Kids seem to do better than adults at maintaining good habits when they understand the benefits and their actions are rewarded with praise. The rest of us may need a sticky note on the ‘fridge! Consider this your sticky note.
At least once a year, check for dripping water. Even a small leak makes a big impact on your water bill. Over time you could be paying for hundreds of gallons of water you aren’t using.
Indoors:
- Look at faucets and taps in kitchens and bathrooms
- Check under sinks and inside cabinets for wet spots
- Remember to check faucets in tubs and shower heads
- Inspect clothes- and dishwasher connections that can develop leaks over time
Outside:
- Check spigots and hose ends
- Ditto for sprinklers attached to a hose
- For automated systems, check sprinkler heads for leaks, one sign is taller or greener grass, another is places where the ground is perpetually wet
- Install a rain sensor, if your controller doesn’t have one, to keep sprinklers off when it rains – what a waste that is
Leaks and dripping faucets are easy to ignore but costly. How about checking right now to be sure it’s not happening right under your nose. Good habits prevent wasted water, so thank you for being a good water steward! Here’s a virtual hug for you.