Heat Wave: Water Conservation
With areas of California continuing to reach the triple digits this week, it’s time to talk about water conservation. During a heat wave like this, water consumption goes up. This occurs because people are trying to stay cool (drinking more water, swimming, taking showers) and because water evaporates more quickly. Trying to limit use of a limited resource like water is not only good for the environment and reducing shortages, but good for your wallet as well. Keep reading to learn what you can do to help conserve water.
- Check For Leaks
It’s estimated that the average household wastes almost 10,000 gallons of water every year due to leaks. That adds up to 1 trillion gallons nationwide. You may think a leaky faucet would be obvious, but there may be some areas of your property you haven’t thought to check recently. Some things to look out for include running toilets, outdoor faucet or hose leaks, washing machines leaks, and pool leaks. A drippy bathtub spout adds up to a lot of wasted water (and money) overtime.
At Dialed In Repairs, we offer property inspections that include recommendations for efficient water use. If you are a property manager, your tenants may not be reporting leaks. So if you pay for water, it’s in your best interest to schedule a leak inspection.
2. Low Flow Fixtures
Did you know that there are low flow water fixtures that help conserve water? You can buy low flow faucets, shower heads, and even toilets. These fixtures produce less water to accomplish the same activities, which can reduce water consumption by as much as 60%.
You may worry that a low flow fixture means low water pressure, but that’s not necessarily the case. For example, an aerating shower head adds air along with the water, which reduces the amount of water coming out but keeps the pressure strong. There are also laminar shower heads, which group water into larger individual streams to conserve.
When it comes to toilets, you can buy a gravity flow or pressure assist version, which both use additional pressure to flush the toilet with less water.
3. Water Lawns Early or Late
If you water your garden or lawn in the middle of a hot day, the water is going to evaporate quickly, requiring more soon. In order to ensure your plants have time to absorb the water they need, try doing your watering early in the morning or late in the evening, when the weather is cooler. Even if your lawn starts looking dry or brown on these hot days, don’t worry — it will recover soon. Watering during intense heat can also add stress to your grass, so put away your hose until the sun goes down.
4. Cover Your Pool
Just like water on grass, pool water can evaporate when not protected. By covering your pool, you’re ensuring the water stays cool and in place, which means you won’t have to refill your pool as often. The average uncovered pool loses one inch of water per week.
So remember — trying to conserve water during a heat wave doesn’t just benefit the environment and others in your community, but it saves you more money than you realize. Contact DI today for your water assessment, and stay cool, California!
