Simple Ways to Save Water this Summer!

It’s summertime. Many of us live in California’s Central Valley climates that are dry and hot. During the summer season, residential water use typically rises, with many people increasing their irrigation of dry lawns and landscaping, filling seasonal pools, and cooling off with sprinklers. An uptick in monthly water usage during the summer is common, but a lack of wintertime rains in many regions has left many aquifers lower than average. It’s important we are all mindful of our water usage.

At Plumbers911, we know you care about how much water you use, not to mention how much it costs. Here we outline a few simple steps you can take to save water this summer. Help conserve this precious resource — and save money at the same time!

1. Water Wisely

Practice smart water use outside by watering your lawn at optimal times of the day. Water evaporates quickly when the sun is high, so it’s best to water your lawn in the early morning or in the evening when it’s more likely to stay in the soil. Also, make sure your sprinkler system is watering the lawn, not the sidewalk. You might choose to install a drip irrigation system. It works better than sprinklers by sending out targeted amounts of water exactly where you want it.

2. Check for Leaks

Leaky faucets, toilets, appliances and sprinklers can waste a lot of water over time. Check your toilet for leaks with a simple test. Put a few drops of food coloring or a dye tablet into your toilet tank. If the color shows up in the bowl, your tank is leaking. It could be wasting up to 100 gallons of water a day! Fix those leaks — save water and money.

3. Keep your Shower Short

If you take a shower instead of a bath, you will use as much as 80 percent less water! But keep your shower short if you want to maximize your water savings. A shower for five minutes will use about 10 to 15 gallons of water, but a bath can use up to 70 gallons of water.

4. Turn off the Tap

Leaving the water running while you brush your teeth is a huge water-waster. Try turning the tap off while you brush instead. By turning off the water while you brush, you could save more than 200 gallons of water in a single month, according to the EPA.

5. Wash Laundry and Dishes Wisely

Washing machines and dishwashers can use up gallons of water, so it’s important to make sure you use these appliances wisely. Wait until you have enough for a full load before you run the machine. This will save you water, as well as electricity. If you need to wash a smaller load, adjust the water level on the machine accordingly.

Water is a critically important resource, and we all have a responsibility to help conserve. Taking simple steps such as the ones outlined above can help you save water and money this summer.

You can take your efforts one step further — consider purchasing water-efficient faucets, laundry washers, toilets and dishwashers. Making the move to purchase water- and energy-efficient appliances will save you not only on your water bill, but also on your electricity bill. You may even be eligible for a program to help pay the expense of switching over.

If you need more help identifying ways you can save water, contact Plumbers911. Plumbers911 is a nationwide network of experienced, trustworthy plumbing experts. If you are in California’s Central Valley, you can turn to our Tracy, Fresno, Stockton, and Modesto plumbers. No matter where you are in the Central Valley, you can call us for a thorough audit of your home. Our professionals will check for leaks or any other sources of wasted water. If you have any other plumbing issues, we can help with that too. Don’t hesitate — call Plumbers911 today!