Water flows deeply throughout our daily lives.
From the moment we turn on the coffee maker, to running a shower, to the clothes we wear, water is present. Unfortunately, our often-thoughtless access to it can make it easy to take for granted.
According to a McGill University study, Canadians on average use about 329L of water each day. The most recent Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD] report found that, out of 29 countries under the OECD, Canada remained the second largest consumer of water per capita.
This lends to the belief that a critical amount of water is wasted each day.
Thankfully, it’s 2020 – and people are waking up to the consequences of their actions. There are now many ways that you can not only efficiently reduce your water consumption but also prevent water from being wasted. Here are four practical ways to curb your water use.
1. Don’t Let Water Run Unnecessarily
This sounds really simple, but we’re all guilty of it in some way. You let the water run while you brush your teeth, for example. Your sink continues to run during the dish-washing process. Your garden hose leaks and you haven’t had time to fix it yet.
Be cognizant of the areas you are letting the water run unnecessarily. Simply shutting it off and turning it back on only when you need it can make a stark difference. The more you minimize your approach to water use, the better it is for your hydro bill and the environment.
2. Take Shorter Showers
After a long, hard day at work, most of us find solace through taking a long shower. Your hygiene is important to us, but it’s probable you can still get clean in a shorter shower time.
It’s easy to lose track of time in a shower, but you should take note of it for multiple reasons.
On average, a four-minute shower uses approximately 20 to 40 gallons of water. You can counteract this by either reducing the time of your shower routine or by installing a water-efficient showerhead.
3. Always Check for Leaks
No one likes a leak. They can run amok very covertly, which may end up costing you by the hundreds. That is why it is critical to always check your appliances for potential leaks.
Small drips from a leaky faucet can waste up to 20 gallons of water each day if left unchecked. If you find that your appliances are operating in a faulty way, a leak may be the source. In any event, you’ll want to double-check your utilities every so often so you can stop a water leak before it becomes more problematic.
4. Insulate Your Water Pipes
Many of us get slightly annoyed at our faucets taking inordinate amounts of time to have warm water flow through. These seconds add up; during the process of heating up running water, that water going down the drain is being wasted.
The solution? Insulate your water pipes with foam pipe insulation. As a relatively inexpensive means of allowing your water to heat up faster, this can greatly reduce overall water consumption. Various types of pipe insulation can be found at your local hardware store, so give it a shot!
For more #ActionForWater initiatives, follow us on social media @WaterDocs, and stay tuned for more updates as we head into the 2020 Water Docs Film Festival.