Saving Water

[vsjhoc]

I lived on boats awhile ago, and fresh water was extremely scarce. You couldn't just stand under the shower head and let the water run. One method to save water is to turn it off while lathering up your hair or soaping your body. You'll save all the water that would otherwise run down the drain.

[Fern]

i do that routinely when i wash up in the morning, in the sink. My SO is in the habit of turning the faucet on, then letting it run while he walks off to do something else!

You're right, water is scarce in many parts of the world, even in our own West. Someone here once suggested saving water in the shower by putting a bucket in the tub during the minute or so you let it run to warm up. Thought that was a good idea tho truth be told i have yet to do that.

[Ima saver]

My next house will have that instant heat, so the water is immediately warm and you don't have to let it run so long before it warms up.

[debtfreeme]

we put in an instant heat water heater when i redid my moms house, saves on gas to heat it and letting the water run to heat up

[Kris10Leigh]

Well this is a timely thread. I just decided last night to try cutting $5.00 off our water bill.

I didn't know there was such thing as an "instant heat water heater."

We have a leaky faucet we've tried to fix but haven't been able to. I've started keeping a large pitcher under it and we transfer the water into a water container in the fridge for drinking water and the rest of it waters our plants. Eventually we'll replace the faucet but that's just not in the budget right now.

For older toilets you can fill a milk jug with water and stick it in the tank.

[DivaJen]

Originally Posted by Fern

Someone here once suggested saving water in the shower by putting a bucket in the tub during the minute or so you let it run to warm up.

I do this and then use that water in the garden.

[Ima saver]

I just read this somewhere, but you use much less water washing dishes in the dishwasher than if you washed them by hand.

[shadowfax]

Keeep a rain barrel under your eaves to collect rain water for watering plants, filling fish tanks watering animals etc.

Use water from fish tank changes to water plants it is very nutitious and you can save on fertalizers too.

In winter take full showers only every other day to two days and just sponge bath in between.

[Ima saver]

Just make sure you don't have a salt water tank like I did. Otherwise, that is a good suggestion.

[poundwise]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

I just read this somewhere, but you use much less water washing dishes in the dishwasher than if you washed them by hand.

I don't disagree, however, I'm sure this is dependent on other factors... for instance, whether or not a person lets the water run the whole time they are at the sink washing dishes, etc.

[banana]

My water consumption was averaging 21,000 gallons for 3 months and I was able to get it down to 13,000 gallons every 3 months. This is for a family of 3. It did take awhile but being careful has paid off. My son who would only take baths now takes showers (I will occasionally let him take a bath in the winter). I try to limit my laundary more. I try to re-wear items that could be worn again that really arent dirty like a pair of jeans or a towel that I just used from taking a shower. Even with these changes my water bill is still around $120. The bill also includes my sewer charges as well.

How many gallons of water do you consume?

[cschin4]

I have wondered if it would be worth it to get a front-loading washing machine. They supposedly use much less water. And, with 3 kids, we do alot of laundry. I would say that is our biggest water usage.

[banana]

cschin4 - I know they use a lot less water. I will be getting on eventually when my current washing machines dies.

[Cheetahwoman7]

Originally Posted by Kris10Leigh

We have a leaky faucet we've tried to fix but haven't been able to. I've started keeping a large pitcher under it and we transfer the water into a water container in the fridge for drinking water and the rest of it waters our plants. Eventually we'll replace the faucet but that's just not in the budget right now.

Kris10Leigh, have you thought of posting a "wanted" item on Freecycle.org? You can see if there's one near you by going to their main site. I have gotten (and given) all sorts of things on there. Everything is absolutely free. Just post that you need a new or next to new faucet and you'll be surprised at the responses you'll get. If you need any help finding the site, just email me.

Other tips I use to save water are: I keep my dogs' water dish right next to the tub, so when I'm running the water waiting for it to heat up, I'm also filling the dog's water supply for the day. As soon as the water gets warm enough, I stop filling the dish. The bathroom is also the only place where I don't have wood floors (tile instead), so I'm protecting the rest of the house from doggie slurpping water drool damage.

I also use the water on, wet down, water off, soap on and rinse off shower. I don't do it in the winter, cuz it's just too cold in my house. The rest of the year, it's not a problem.

[Dido]

Originally Posted by banana

My water consumption was averaging 21,000 gallons for 3 months and I was able to get it down to 13,000 gallons every 3 months. This is for a family of 3. It did take awhile but being careful has paid off. My son who would only take baths now takes showers (I will occasionally let him take a bath in the winter). I try to limit my laundary more. I try to re-wear items that could be worn again that really arent dirty like a pair of jeans or a towel that I just used from taking a shower. Even with these changes my water bill is still around $120. The bill also includes my sewer charges as well.

How many gallons of water do you consume?

Banana, good job, that's a big reduction. I seem to pretty consistently use 5000 gallons each time my water bill is due for a bill of just under $74. One person, mostly showers very few baths, about two loads of laundry a week, no dishwasher.

[banana]

Wow Dido I am amazed you only use 5000 gallons for 3 months! That is awesome!

[Dido]

Originally Posted by banana

Wow Dido I am amazed you only use 5000 gallons for 3 months! That is awesome!

Well, on a per-person basis, I'm using more than your family is, now that you've gotten yours down!

[tgavin71]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

My next house will have that instant heat, so the water is immediately warm and you don't have to let it run so long before it warms up.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but even with instant water heaters you still have to let the water run through. Also the further away from the heater the longer it takes. Ours is next to our kitchen. Our bathroom is on the other side of the house and it seems to take forever for the shower water to get hot. I turn it on before undressing and then get in. Even saying this I would only ever buy an instant water heater. This is our second. The benefits far out way the disadvantages

I have also just bought a front loading washing machine. Haven't washed with it yet. Is waiting ready for our renovations to be done.

[Crystallas]

I dont know about the geographic limitations for everyone, but I know that I can tap into many pots for well water here. I had my own pump and running well water at a previous home and it helped with the water bill tremendously. The well water was used for all landscaping, toilets and was clean enough to drink from with proper filtration. I didnt pipe it to the tap, but I did consider the costs of equiptment to make it a healthy choice at one point, and this too will depend on the source. Im considering doing this again, and good news to me is that the pump and even a filtration system now is much more effective, efficient, and cost effective than my old water saving system. Its definately something to consider for the DIYer.

[Crystallas]

Originally Posted by tgavin71

I have also just bought a front loading washing machine. Haven't washed with it yet. Is waiting ready for our renovations to be done.

I never took that into consideration. Do they really have a good list of benefits that outweigh toploaders?