Because technically, it was supposed to be published yesterday, but I forget. (Also, I’m a lazy douche, don’t forget that one.) Thanks to Stephanie for reminding me!
I’ve been meaning to talk about water conservation for some time now – John and I have been much more careful with our water use for the past 7 months or so, and it has made a serious difference in our water consumption.
It’s worth it just to save the water… but if you take these steps you can also save a considerable amount of $$$.
- NEVER wash a load of laundry until you have a full machine’s worth of clothes. I even experimented to see if I could get away with “medium” water on a load I normally would have called “large.” It actually works a lot of the time.
- If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down. A lot of people are squeamish about this, but it made a rather large difference in our water bill. We now pee 3 or 4 times (sometimes more) before we flush. Think of how many tanks of water that saves in a month’s time!
- Reduce the number/size of baths. Braden used to take a bath every night as part of his bedtime routine. We’ve started giving him a bath every other night, and we fill the tub only half as much as we used to. He never even noticed. All he cares is it’s wet, there are bubbles, and he has toys.
We also stopped waiting for the right water temp before dropping the plug. The plug drops, water starts. It all mixes in and evens out.
- Take shorter/less showers. Less showers is hard if you go to work every day and have to shower to get ready, but you can try shortening by using a timer with an alarm, the kind that counts down and then goes off. Start by figuring out how long your average shower is, then try to shave off 5 minutes at a time. It’s just a habit thing. With practice, you can knock off some time (if you shower longer than 15-20, especially).
- Collect the cold water at the beginning of a shower in a bucket for use elsewhere. I got this awesome tip from Sandy @ Momisodes back when I first started doing PSBN and it is a GREAT thing to do. We have saved SO MUCH water doing this! During gardening months, you can use it to water plants, but there are plenty of other uses, such as:
- add to bathwater for baths
- use in clothes washing
- mop floors
- dog’s water bowl
- aquarium refill
- vases for picked flowers
- rinse water for dishes
- wash car in driveway
- wading pool during summer (idea courtesy of Alison)
- water for live Christmas tree
- ETC
- Don’t run water when you’re not actively using it. Whenever you wash your hands, put soap in your hand, then wet them, and turn the water off while you lather. Turn it back on to rinse. Do the same when brushing teeth. If you handwash dishes, don’t leave water running while you’re soaping them.
This is just a short list of the things that have made the largest difference for us so far. In fact, our monthly water bill is always right around $34. I don’t know about you, but to me that is amazing – and we wash cloth diapers regularly!
Other tips:
- Make sure you inspect all pipes and areas where leaks can occur (water heaters, outside hoses and spigots) because a slow leak can add up to a huge amount of wasted water over a long period of time.
- If your toilet is high flow, you can place a brick in the tank so that it takes less water to fill it. Make sure there is still enough power to flush in one try – if you end up flushing twice to “get it down” it’s not doing you any good.
- Don’t put any extra bulk in the toilet (like tissue you blow your nose with, for exampe). Reduce the amount of TP you use to wipe if possible. We did!
- Wash your dishes by hand. Buy sink tubs and run one with soapy water, one with clean. Wash in one tub, rinse in the other. This reduces water use DRASTICALLY over using a dishwasher. You can also re-use the water from the tubs for mop water, and even garden water if you purchase posphate free dish soap. (I am super wuss and still use the dishwasher. *i suck*)
- Rain collection barrells gather a large amount of free water for you. You can use that water for gardening, mopping, car washing, etc. I really want one, but we rent, and you have to make modifications to the downspouts on your gutters. If you own your home, you should REALLY consider it. The cheapest I’ve found pre-made are $150, and they can get really pricey, up to 3 times as much as that for the “really nice” ones. But you can also make them yourself with a little effort, and that costs WAY less.
Click HERE for helpful links about rain collection barrells, as well as other water saving tips.
It’s worth saving this stuff and making sure there’s always plenty left over.
There are plenty more ways to save water – do you do some things I didn’t mention here?
If you have a “green” post, please feel free to add it to the Mr. Linky! Thanks. 
#1 by dysfunctional mom on October 14, 2008 - 2:23 AM
These are great tips, some of which we already do, some of which I had never thought of. We just moved into a bigger house and we’re trying to be extremely consciencious of water & energy usage.
I recently read a post where the blogger said she leaves the water on the ENTIRE time she’s cooking and cleaning the kitchen. I wanted to scream!
dysfunctional moms last blog post..This post is being typed in a whisper…
#2 by Veronica on October 14, 2008 - 2:46 AM
Yay! Water conservation is so important.
Veronicas last blog post..Home
#3 by river on October 14, 2008 - 4:08 AM
Had to laugh at your shower hint, “try to shave off 5 minutes at a time”. My entire shower routine takes 3 minutes maximum. Get under the water, wash, turn off the water dry. If I’m washing my hair it’s a total of 5 minutes. Leg shaving is done with a small amount of hot water in the bathroom sink. NOT IN THE SHOWER. And only in the summer and even then only if I plan on wearing shorts AND leaving the house.
Also I don’t shower at all on days when I’m not leaving the house.
#4 by koehmstedt on October 14, 2008 - 6:59 AM
Great post! I love the tip “Collect the cold water at the beginning of a shower in a bucket for use elsewhere” that is great and I’ll definitely start doing that. I have incorporated everything else, but, I just can’t let the toilet not be flushed, it’s my only bad girl moment. Oh well, a girl can’t be perfect. Thanks!
koehmstedts last blog post..Oh so funny
#5 by Andy Bailey on October 14, 2008 - 7:46 AM
I never used to worry about wasting resources until last year and now I studiously switch off all taps and appliances when they’re not in use.
I even told someone off at an office block I worked in for leaving the water running while they brushed their teeth at lunchtime (nearly got into a fight too!, all for the environment!)
Andy Baileys last blog post..Tell me what you want, what you really really want……. (please, no zigs or ahs)
#6 by lceel on October 14, 2008 - 8:13 AM
Ever since I spent time aboard ship while in the Marine Corps, I have been in the habit of taking a ‘navy shower’. Due to the limited supply of fresh water on a naval vessel (Navy ships make fresh water by evaporating seawater and condensing the water vapor into fresh water), naval personnel are instructed in the techniques of water conservation. The ‘navy shower’ is, essentially, getting in, wetting down, turning off the water, lathering up, and rinsing off. This is one of the reasons that sailors are encouraged to keep their hair short. Anyway, SWMBO is constantly amazed at the ’short’ showers I take – even after 31 years.
lceels last blog post..Tuesday Tale
#7 by Rick on October 14, 2008 - 8:34 AM
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#8 by Tranny Head on October 14, 2008 - 9:06 AM
I want you to know that I was listening to NPR yesterday evening and I think I heard somebody referencing your blog. Remember the infamous “use less TP” posts? Well – this woman was saying she saw a blog where a mom was trying to cut down her TP for the environment and that nobody was on board with her. I thought of you. Too bad they didn’t give you mad wild credit and say it was the Sarcastic Mom’s blog.
#9 by Donna on October 14, 2008 - 9:45 AM
I have good news for you… according to TreeHuggers.com (and several other sources), even the most frugal/efficient handwasher couldn’t beat the dishwasher for efficeincy and water use. So, run your full dishwasher without guilt!
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/08/dishwasher_vs_h.php
Donnas last blog post..Weekly Winners September 28 – October 5
#10 by stephanie on October 14, 2008 - 10:23 AM
What a great post! Worth waiting for!
I love the photo of the water on the leaves too.
A couple questions:
1. How does not putting tissue that you blew your nose on into the toilet help conserve water? Is it because you can flush less often?
2. What’s the best way to wash new clothing that you’re worried about bleeding? If I get a new red top, it usually goes in by itself with the washer on “low”. If I have a load full of all black stuff, I might throw it in there, but that doesn’t always happen. Suggestions?
stephanies last blog post..How (not) to freeze things
#11 by missy wiggins on October 14, 2008 - 11:15 AM
I forgot to post yesterday too! No harm done though
Great post as usual…
I am trying to always think of new ways to save water/energy.
You have given me some great tips!
missy wigginss last blog post..#330
#12 by Marni on October 14, 2008 - 11:58 AM
Great post! With some great tips I never thought to do!
But as for the dishwasher, yeah, not going to happen. I wouldn’t even call is SUPER WUSS (though you crack me up!) it’s just more sanitary. The heat kills most of the germs.
Marnis last blog post..It’s my 400th POST! Well, almost.. Oh and Giveaway!!!!!
#13 by Suzanne on October 14, 2008 - 12:10 PM
Thanks to My Stupid Leg (trademark pending), I end up soaking in the tub once or twice a week. To make up for it, I take “military showers’ the rest of the time. I wet myself down, shut off the faucet, lather up and then turn it on to rinse off. That easily saves 5 gallons or more each time I shower.
This is on top of bathing or showering every other day, due to extremely dry skin. (doctor’s orders)
Suzannes last blog post..Arrrrrggggghhhhhhhh
#14 by Suzanne on October 14, 2008 - 12:13 PM
Sold dishwashers. The average dishwasher uses between 5 and 10 gallons of water. The average handwashing uses about 7 or 8. If you use the rinse and hold on your dishwasher, it uses 1.5 gallons.
Laundry info: Average top load uses about 120 gallons per load. Average front load uses 15 gallons per load. I did the cost analysis for customers. In our municipality, if you did 4 loads of laundry a week, you’d save over 200 dollars on the water bill. That front load pays for itself in about 4 years on water savings alone. (factor in the electric savings and you’re really getting your money back in about 2.5 years.)
More useless information from the mind of Suzanne!
Suzannes last blog post..Arrrrrggggghhhhhhhh
#15 by shannon on October 14, 2008 - 3:47 PM
I probably don’t so as much to conserve water as I should, but I have plans for the future when I get my own house again. grey water system, rain water collection, water saving appliances. BTW if you run a dishwasher with a full load it uses less water than hand washing. Load that thing up! I didn’t have a dishwasher in Jakarta so now that I do in Frankfurt I am sure gonna use it!
My tip this week is paper saving art for kids.
shannons last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – Leaf Angel
#16 by Colleen - Mommy Always Wins on October 14, 2008 - 4:34 PM
Donna rawks for linking to that tree hugger article. I, too, suck – didn’t do a PSBN post this month, but we’re keeping up with the cloth diapers, paper towel usage has been reduced and we tend to follow a lot of your water conservation tips already. Except for the toilet flushing. Will has an obsession with that lately – we let him get away with it for sitting on the big boy potty.
Colleen – Mommy Always Winss last blog post..Monday Coffee Clutch: E-I-E-I-O!
#17 by Cassandra Rae on October 14, 2008 - 4:43 PM
I can’t believe how much you do! You amaze me…all this and preggos!
Cassandra Raes last blog post..Crap…I fell asleep during meditation!
#18 by Connie on October 14, 2008 - 9:01 PM
Be careful about the brick in the toilet tank. They can break up and hurt your plumbing. I have heard about people using plastic milk jugs (various sizes) filled with water or gravel for use in your toilet tank.
#19 by Kat on October 14, 2008 - 9:35 PM
This is awesome! Wonderful ideas. I love that you keep this up – it inspires other people to think and act more along these lines. Fantabulous.
I LOL’d at the shower thing, too. My shower routine takes about 6 minutes, unless I’m showering with my kid. He loves the shower now, which is great – our shower uses much less water than filling the tub even half way. I can put the stopper in, leave it running while he’s in there, he can play for longer, and it still uses less. Can’t skip a day with him, though. He’s filthy every day! Also, not daily bathing that skin that gets poopie or pee-covered would mean bad rashes around here.
But love all these ideas, and see that I need to put some more in action! Thanks Lotus.
Kats last blog post..Natural Responsibility
#20 by The Mettled Mama on October 14, 2008 - 10:25 PM
This is a great idea! I’m going to try to take shorter showers, but oh how I love a long hot shower. Especially when the kids aren’t banging on the shower door. =)
The Mettled Mamas last blog post..Reduce, Reuse, THEN Recycle!
#21 by loveyh on October 15, 2008 - 12:34 PM
I second the upgrade appliance thing. We bought a new washer/dryer from LG this spring. Our water bill is almost half of what it used to be. We use the dishwasher to wash 99% of all our dishes, and again, low energy bills.
One other thing: if you have a sprinkler system for your yard, water early in the AM, not at night. The ground is cooler before the sun comes up or as it’s rising in the morning, and you use less water to keep your yard green. At night, after a hot day, most of the water will evaporate. You also only need to water every third day, unless it’s hot: short bouts (5 min) during scorching weather each morning keeps your grass healthy.
loveyhs last blog post..Procrastination
#22 by Wendy on October 15, 2008 - 1:56 PM
I like the fact that I acutally do some of the things on your list!!!
I know this is a simple one that most people probably do already, but turn the water off when you’re brushing your teeth.
And a suggestion for Stephanie with the red shirt, wash your clothes that you’re afraid are going to run with darker clothes or clothes you don’t care what colour they are….black shirts, underwear, etc. I usually wash my red stuff with all my daughters’ pink clothes…and yes, I can do a whole load of pink!
Wendys last blog post..first visit with the teacher
#23 by Alison-Mountain Momma on October 19, 2008 - 6:36 PM
Thanks for the shout out!
So, my once $350 a quarter bill is down around $150. YES, we had a leak. Our toilets were running- CONSTANTLY! Piece of advice…DO NOT use those drop in tablets for your tank…they warp the rubber stopper in your tank and that adds to your toilet running problems. We switched all of out toilets to low flow. We have 3 toilets and I think it cost us roughly 9 bucks per tank. You need to replace the inner mechanism of the tank. SO EASY! SO WORTH IT!!
We’ve lowered the water level on our washer and it’s no problem! Turn your water heater up 5 to 10 degrees and you don’t have to let your shower run for that first few minutes to get the water hot.
Stephanie- I don’t know if you’re comfortable with it but I use those Cheer Color Catcher sheets. They work GREAT! If it’s a dark dark load or you know you have A LOT of bleeding clothes, put two sheets in and wash in cold. Works GREAT!!
#24 by Maggie on November 7, 2008 - 4:02 AM
I don’t think you *suck*. I think you *rock*. Thanks for the tips. Can you just imagine if everyone did this?!