Recent summers have been among the driest in history. Grass fires have increased in number, lake levels have diminished, and numerous water utility companies have implemented water restrictions on their customers. Water scarcity has become a global issue. Many first world countries take their access to clean water for granted, but almost one-fifth of the world’s population, or 1.2 billion people, live in areas of the world that are not readily accessible to clean water. In order to positively impact the worlds water supply this summer, there are 10 simple steps for conserving water during the summer months.
Water Conservation in the Pool
- Cover your Pool: Pool covers reduce evaporation by 30 to 50 percent, while simultaneously naturally warming the pool.
- Adjust the Thermostat: Lowering the temperature of your pool a few degrees will reduce evaporation.
- Check for Leaks in your Pool: A leaky swimming pool can waste upwards of 10,000 gallons of water per year. If you are unsure if leakage is occurring, place a bucket of water beside the pool and mark both the water in the bucket and the water in the pool. Check the loss of water after 24 hours. If the pool has lost more water than the bucket, you have a leak.
- Plant a Windbreak: As the wind whips across the pool it can take surface water with it. Installing a windbreak will reduce water loss and energy costs.
- Keep Pool Filters Clean: Keeping your pool clean will reduce stress on the filter, reduce backwashed water and prolong the filter’s use.
- Monitor Landscaping Decisions: Longer grass holds moisture in soil better than shorter grass. Adjusting your lawn mower to a higher setting will allow your grass to shade the root system more efficiently.
- Water your Lawn According to the Time of Day: Watering your lawn in the morning reduces water loss from evaporation. Setting your sprinklers to a lower pressure also helps to conserve water since higher-pressure sprinklers creates a fine mist that evaporates faster.
- Install a Low-Flow Showerhead: Normal showerheads emit six gallons of water per minute, as opposed to low-flow showerheads, which emit half.
- Reduce Drain Waste: Reducing the amount of water that runs down the drain can be accomplished easily. Turning off water while brushing your teeth and washing your hands significantly decreases water waste. Also storing a water filter pitcher in your refrigerator eliminates waste since you don’t have to run the water while waiting for it to turn cold.
- Alter your Laundry Room Habits: Only run the washing machine when you have a full load and use cold water to eliminate energy use. Purchasing ENERGY STAR-qualified products also reduces waste since they use 50 percent less water than a standard machine.The summer months provide the perfect opportunity to evaluate water use and examine how you can conserve H2O for future generations. A few minor adjustments on your part can add up to a world of difference.
