Waterways are vital to many aspects of our daily life, such as agriculture, drinking water, wildlife, and recreation. By conserving water, you can help protect your local ecosystems. Not to mention, using less water saves money! Try these simple tips to cut back on water use year-round.

At Ben Franklin Plumbing, it’s only natural that we have a close relationship with water. We know the importance of having access to clean water every day. Luckily, conserving water is easier than you might think. Small changes in your water use habits can go a long way toward helping the environment. Here are a few easy ways to get started.

1. Change Your Faucet

One of the easiest changes you can make to conserve water in your home is to install a low flow faucet or showerhead. Most low flow faucets and showerheads are actually a type of aerator designed to deliver a mixture of water and air in a straight stream, so you don’t need to compromise water pressure in order to use less water. Not only do these simple changes cut down on the amount of water waste in your home, but they cut down your costs as well!

2. Stop Buying Bottled Water

Another easy switch you can make is to install a water filter to your tap. Even though this won’t necessarily cut down on the amount of water you use, it will reduce the need for bottled water. Not only is buying bottled water a lot more expensive than filtering the tap water in your home, but it also harms the environment by increasing the amount of plastic that needs to be manufactured and disposed of.

The process of shipping bottled water from the source to the store and then transporting it to your home also increases the number of emissions into the atmosphere, which in turn, creates acid rain and pollutes our water.

3. Fill Washing Appliances

While a small load of laundry or a quick rinse in the dishwasher may seem insignificant, running these types of appliances before they’re filled to capacity is a big culprit for wasted water. Waiting until you have enough items to fill your appliance is an easy and helpful habit you can start right away.

4. Collect Rainwater for Landscaping

It’s no secret that watering the lawn is one of the most common ways water is wasted. It’s the first suggested change during times of drought and one of the easiest things to cut out of your water use. If you must water your garden, setting up a water collection device to catch rainwater is an eco-friendly option. If you choose this method, it’s important to monitor your risk for mosquito breeding. You can find rain barrels that are specifically designed to be resistant to mosquitoes to provide you with a safe and sustainable solution to watering your outdoor plants.

5. Cut Down on Tap Water Time

Whether it means shorter showers or simply turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, reducing the amount of time your tap water runs obviously cuts down on waste. If you’re cleaning up after a big meal, try washing your dishes in a sink full of soapy water and then rinsing all at once, rather than keeping the tap running throughout the dishwashing process. Simple steps like these can really help conserve water and are easy enough to work into your daily habits.

How to Get Started

Clean water is vital to the health of ourselves, our families, and our environment. That’s why it’s important to be proactive in protecting clean water for future generations. Our goal is for every home to always have clean water that’s convenient, efficient, and affordable. Give Ben Franklin Plumbing a call to discuss water quality, water conditioning, and appliances that not only save water but money as well!