Conserve-Action: Water Conservation

As you've undoubtedly heard by now there is a mandatory 10% reduction in water use order in effect. How are you going to handle it?

Here at GPB the plan to reduce water use is primarily through our heating and cooling temperatures throughout the building. Apparently we will save over 65,000 gallons a month by reducing our winter temperature to 68 degrees from 70 degrees and increasing our summer temperature from 72 degrees to 75 degrees. The water saved is that which is normally lost through condensation in the cooling towers.

This got me thinking. What are the most effective ways to reduce water inside your home?

According to my web research the average home uses more than 200 gallons of water per day.

The culprit: The clothes washer - 56,000 gallons/year
The solution: operate only on full loads. Turn off that "extra rinse."

The culprit: The shower head - 37,000 gallons/year
The solution: Take a 5 minute shower, or less. Save 20,000 gallons.

The culprit: The water faucet - 35,000 gallons/year
The solution: Turn off the water running while brushing teeth, shaving, or washing. Catch "warm-up" and "cool-down" water for plants. Install low flow restrictors/aerators.

The culprit: leakage - 30,000 gallons/year
The solution: Check for and repair leaks - will waste from 30 to 500 gallons of water per day!

The worst culprit of all: The good ol' toilet - 60,000 gallons/year
The solution: Offset older toilets with a plastic jug of pebbles and water. Don't flush bugs or trash. And finally, use this adage: "If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down."