A guide on how to save water in Ireland as the water charges are being introduced by Irish Water.
Being smart with how you use water at home is not only beneficial for your wallet, but it’s also good to help conserve the environment that we live in. The smaller amount of water that is used on a daily basis in the home decreases the negative impact that it has on the community around you. Conserving water can be done through many simple methods that take hardly any time at all. And a small amount of time dedicated to conscious use of water can create big benefits at home and in the world.
Below are a few tips to practice each day to reduce your water use to save money and limit pollution into the fragile environment.
Check for leaks
Checking for leaks in the faucets, pipes, and toilet is a simple task that can save gallons of water a day. A slow leaking faucet can produce over twenty gallons of water per day that is going to waste if not addressed. Larger leaks make an even bigger impact. Something as simple as changing a rusted washer can help you save water and money.
Don’t leave the water running
Leaving the water on and running while doing daily tasks at home is a way that a very large amount of water is wasted each day. Turning off the water while brushing your teeth can help save water that will not contribute to pollution. An average faucet can produce 1.5-5 gallons of water per minute. Leaving the water on while rinsing dishes is a sure way to waste water at home. Save water and money by rinsing dishes and objects in standing water. Be sure to turn the hose off while washing automobiles or other large objects outside when you are in between rinsing them. Hoses produce significantly more water out of them per second than faucets. By consciously remembering to turn off the water, your wallet and the earth will thank you.
Reduce shower time
A long shower may feel good after a scorching hot day or when trying to warm up from the bitter cold of winter. Although the instant gratification of a longer shower may feel great, it’s not a way to save water. Reducing your shower time to the time that’s needed to wash yourself saves time, lowers the amount on your water bill, and reduces the amount of wasted water produced into the environment and septic system. Shorter showers will still get the job done and you can feel good about doing it.
Only wash full loads
Waiting until there is a full load of laundry and a full load in the dishwasher is a great way to practice water conservation. Hand washing an article of clothing or dish if it absolutely must be clean is a better alternative than using a large amount of water that is not needed for a smaller job.
Use water-filtering devices
Incorporating a water filter at home is a way that you can conserve water that is otherwise used from plastic bottles. Water filtering devices such as a pitcher can turn the water from the faucet into more enjoyable and potable drinking water. Devices that are attached directly to the head of the sink are other filtration methods that are widely used. These methods help save money otherwise spent on plastic bottles and help reduce the pollution that is created through wasted water and plastic.
With the recent introduction of water rates across Ireland, there has never been a better time to implement these simple, but very effective means of reducing the amount of water that you use saving you time, money, and reducing your carbon footprint at the same time.
