Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are known for our rainy weather, so it can feel like we have an unlimited supply of water year round. However, even our local water supply is under pressure from climate change - in the warmer months we rely on a strong snowpack to keep reservoirs full, and that snowpack will reduce as weather warms. To ensure that our water is being protected, we must use it consciously now.
In the United States alone, the average household uses more than 300 gallons of water per day! By using water consciously we can not only reduce the amount of water we use, but also reduce related expenses.
Here are some small steps you and those around you can take to reduce your water usage in big ways over time:
Be aware of running water:
- Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth. By doing this you can save over four gallons each time you brush. This is also important for other tasks that don’t need constant water, like shaving.
- Turn off the faucet while scrubbing dishes. When washing dishes, only turn on the faucet when absolutely necessary.
- Make sure faucets are always completely turned off.
Stay on top of maintenance:
- Fix leaks quickly, or report them to your landlord ASAP. Make sure to keep an eye out for running toilets and dripping faucets. Even one drop every two seconds can add up to over 1,000 gallons a year.
- Upgrade and replace older fixtures and appliances with more efficient versions. The city of Seattle offers $100 rebates to replace toilets - consider replacing yours or reaching out to your landlord about it.
More tips:
- Opt to shower instead of taking baths. Generally, taking a shower uses less water than a full bath.
- Only run the dishwasher when it’s completely full. Dishwashers generally use water more efficiently than if you were to hand-wash, so if you have one make sure to take full advantage of it!
- Opt to scrape food scraps instead of rinsing them with water. This saves time, energy and water - especially when using a dishwasher.
- Use the refrigerator to defrost frozen foods overnight. Cut water out completely by using your appliances to thaw food, instead of submerging frozen items in water.
- Water plants with leftover water. Consider using leftover drinking water, water used to rinse vegetables, or that used to boil your food, to water your plants.
- Collect rainwater if possible. This helps reduce stormwater runoff to protect our waterways, as well as providing you with a sustainable water source for gardening!
If you are looking for more tips on how to make your water usage at home more efficient, check out the reading list below.
If you are curious about your individual water usage, we encourage you to calculate your water usage. (Note: this includes indirect water usage as well, which isn’t covered in this post.)
Sources/Reading List
- Learn more about our water use & conservation efforts:
- More tips on how to reduce your water usage: