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The Green Minute – Water Usage in Bathrooms
Several communities in the Midwest are experiencing extreme drought conditions. Everyone is seeking ways to reduce their water usage. The best place to start a water conservation program in your home is in the bathroom.
According to the University of Minnesota, a typical household of four uses 260 gallons of water each day. Much of this water is used in the bathroom. Toilets use 40% of the total, showers/baths and faucets use 35%. By contrast, 15% is used in the kitchen and 10% for washing clothes.
So how can you start using less water? Here are three simple tips.
Install Low-Flow Faucets
Low-flow faucets and shower heads are available at nearly all hardware stores at very affordable prices. Remodeling your bathroom with an aerator-equipped faucet will give you the greatest energy savings. In the shower, a low-flow faucet can mean significant savings too. Traditional shower heads release approximately 5 gallons of water per minute, whereas water-conserving versions cut usage in half. That means that for a typical 10-minute shower, you could saving 25 gallons of water — a savings of more than 9,000 gallons per year, per person.
Purchase a Water-Conserving Toilet
Replacing your older model toilet with a low-flush version can save you as much as $80 per year for a family of four. What’s better is that water-conserving toilets are just as affordable as their traditional counterparts.
Repair Leaks
Plumbing leaks are common in bathrooms, and repairing them can lead to significant water savings. A single leaky toilet can waste as much as 300 gallons of water per day. Curb your costs and usage by repairing all leaks and checking them regularly for maintenance.
Source: The Green Register