April showers bring May flowers. This is a phrase you may have heard and there is a lot of truth in it. The spring season in Georgia is our rainy season. As the summer season arrives, you can then expect drier weather. And with the drier weather, you might hear more about conserving water in the news.
The rain is unpredictable. Therefore, you can’t rely on it to help replenish the lakes, rivers, and other surface water bodies, which is where the tap water in the metro Atlanta area comes from. Water is a precious resource that has its limits.
To help better manage water resources, conserving water is extremely important. As an individual, you can take action now to help with water conservation. Here is a list of basic water-saving tips for conserving water that can be implemented at home:
- Don’t let the water run. This seems simple enough yet it is important to realize that running the water for a few minutes while you brush your teeth or lather yourself in the shower can waste water. And if you are doing this a few times a day, the amount of waste adds up.
- Fix leaks. A small, continuous drip every second from a faucet or leaking pipe can waste more than 8 gallons of water per day or 3,000 gallons per year.
Fix a toilet. When a toilet is continuously running, it is wasting water much like a leaking pipe would. In addition, installing a new toilet flapper and fill valve will keep your toilet running efficiently. - Install a low-flow showerhead in your bathroom. It is estimated this saves 15 gallons of water during a 10-minute shower.
- Take a shower instead of a bath. It can take approximately 70 gallons of water to fill a bathtub, so showers are generally more water-efficient.
- Replace old appliances with more energy-efficient ones. Newer appliances have Watersense labels that let you know how much water use is estimated. Most front-loading machines use 20 gallons per load, while most top-loading machines unless they are energy-efficient, use 40 gallons per load.
- Use the dishwasher. Energy Star dishwashers use about 4 gallons of water per load compared to hand washing, which generally uses about 20 gallons of water each time.
- Use a timer for outdoor watering. Purchasing an inexpensive spring-loaded timer that attaches directly to your outside faucet can help prevent overwatering in case you forget to shut off the sprinkler.
- Install a pressure-reducing valve. This will maintain the pressure in your plumbing and help prevent leaks from busted pipes.
If you plan to replace your plumbing appliances with water-efficient ones or make other improvements in your home that involve your plumbing, contact High Priority for assistance. We will make sure appliances are installed properly besides helping to repair any leaks. Call us at 770.860.8110 in Atlanta.