Your Water Questions Answered: Week 3
You may recall that in early April we posted a call for your water conservation and efficiency questions. Our friends at Kohler reviewed the questions and chose the most compelling queries to answer throughout the next few weeks. Pop in every Monday for a new posting. -Mary
Q: How much water does an average family home consume in a year, and by how much would that number be reduced if all the water features in the house were replaced with Kohler environmentally friendly products? – Joe
A: The average person uses about 70 gallons of water per day. Homeowners can reduce their water usage by 25 to 40 percent just by using high-efficiency plumbing products and an Energy Star-qualified washing machine. That adds up to many saved gallons of water per year. – Rob Zimmerman, Senior Staff Engineer for Water Conservation Initiatives at Kohler Co.
Wow! I had no idea one person uses that much water. How did you come to that number? What research went into making these products?
Rob Z,
I never knew a person used that much water! Will definitely learn more about green so I can do a better job conserving water.
Mary,
Thanks for posting the answer to Joe’s question. Joe I appreciate your question. Thanks for asking it.
Great question and answer !! We never realize how much water we use daily… and how it adds up.. I love using the handheld spray shower so I can control the water without having to turn it off … so it stays at the same temperature.. my son has grown up using it, so he doesn’t understand why the Hotel’s showers “Waste” water, as he calls it… Though, he enjoyed the rain shower …. it was fun !!! Have a great day !!! Love life by living green !!
Thanks for answering my question!
Thank you Mary, thank you Rob Zimmerman, Senior Staff Engineer for Water Conservation Initiatives at Kohler Co., for answering this week’s questions, and most importantly thank you Joe, for the question.
It truly is amazing how much water the average person uses in just one day..never knew it was 70 gallons!!
Okay, I feel it is my duty to add some important avenues for saving water! Here goes:
Which Tip Could You Try Today?
Saving Water Indoors:
1. Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden, or for cleaning.
2. Verify that your home is leak free. Many homes have hidden water leaks. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.
3. Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at a rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year. This adds to the cost of water and sewer utilities, or can strain your septic system.
4. Check for toilet tank leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the toilet bowl within 30 minutes. Check the toilet for worn out, corroded or bent parts. Most replacement parts are inexpensive, readily available and easily installed. (Flush as soon as test is done, since food coloring may stain tank.) I’ve posted this one before!
5. If the toilet handle frequently sticks in the flush position letting water run constantly, replace or adjust it.
6. Place a bucket in the shower to catch excess water and use this to water plants. The same technique can be used when washing dishes or vegetables in the sink.
7. In the shower, turn water on to get wet; turn off to lather up; then turn back on to rinse off. Repeat when washing your hair.
8. Install a toilet dam or displacement device such as a bag or bottle to cut down on the amount of water needed for each flush. Be sure installation does not interfere with the operating parts.
9. Insulate your water pipes. You’ll get hot water faster and avoid wasting water while it heats up.
10. Store drinking water in the refrigerator. Don’t let the tap run while you are waiting for cool water to flow.
11. Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
12. Kitchen sink disposals require lots of water to operate properly. Start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing of food waste instead of using a garbage disposal. Garbage disposals also can add 50 percent to the volume of solids in a septic tank, which can lead to malfunctions and maintenance problems.
13. Consider installing an instant water heater on your kitchen sink so you don’t have to let the water run while it heats up. This will reduce water heating costs for your household.
14. When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water. Quickly rinse under a slow-moving stream from the faucet.
15. Never install a water-to-air heat pump or air-conditioning system. Newer air-to-air models are just as efficient and do not waste water.
16. Don’t let water run while shaving or washing your face. Brush your teeth first while waiting for water to get hot, then wash or shave after filling the basin.
17. Install water softening systems only when necessary. Save water and salt by running the minimum amount of regenerations necessary to maintain water softness. Turn softeners off while on vacation.
18. If you have a well at home, check your pump periodically. Listen to hear if the pump kicks on and off while water is not being used. If it does, you have a leak.
19. Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
Saving Water Outdoors
20. Don’t overwater your lawn. As a general rule, lawns only need watering every five to seven days in the summer and every 10 to 14 days in the winter. A hearty rain eliminates the need for watering for up to two weeks. Buy a rain gauge and use it to determine how much rain your yard has received. Most of the year, lawns only need one inch of water per week.
21. Plant it smart. Drought efficient landscaping is a great way to design, install and maintain both your plants and irrigation system. More importantly, it will save time, money and water.
22. Water lawns during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest. This reduces losses from evaporation.
23. Don’t allow sprinklers to water your street, driveway or sidewalk. Position them so water lands on the lawn and shrubs… not the paved areas.
24. Install irrigation devices that are the most water efficient for each use. Micro and drip irrigation and soaker hoses are examples of water efficient irrigation methods.
25. Check sprinkler systems and timing devices regularly to be sure they operate properly.
26. Raise the lawn mower blade to at least three inches or to its highest level. A higher cut encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root system and holds soil moisture better than a closely-clipped lawn.
27. Avoid over fertilizing your lawn. Fertilizer applications increase the need for water. Apply fertilizers which contain slow-release, water-insoluble forms of nitrogen.
28. Use mulch to retain moisture in the soil. Mulch also helps control weeds that compete with landscape plants for water.
29. Plant native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees. Once established, they do not need water as frequently and usually will survive a dry period without watering. Group plants together based on similar water needs.
30. Avoid the installation of ornamental water features (such as fountains) unless the water is recycled.
31. Do not leave sprinklers or hoses unattended. A garden hose can pour out 600 gallons or more in only a few hours. Use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to turn sprinklers off.
32. Avoid purchasing recreational water toys which require a constant stream of water.
33. Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you wash your own car, park on the grass and use a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
34. Use a shut-off nozzle on your hose which can be adjusted down to a fine spray so that water flows only as needed. When finished, turn it off at the faucet instead of at the nozzle to avoid leaks. Check hose connectors to make sure plastic or rubber washers are in place. Washers prevent leaks.
35. If you have a swimming pool, consider a new water-saving pool filter. A single backflushing with a traditional filter uses 180 to 250 gallons of water.
General Water Saving Tips:
36. Get involved in water management issues. Voice your questions and concerns at public meetings conducted by your local government or water management district.
37. Be aware of and follow all water conservation and water shortage rules in effect in your community. Don’t assume — even if you get your water from a private well — that you need not observe good water use rules. Every drop counts.
38. Encourage your employer to promote water conservation in the workplace. Suggest that water conservation be put in employee orientation and training programs.
39. Patronize businesses which practice and promote water conservation, such as restaurants that only serve water upon request.
40. Report all significant water losses (broken pipes, open hydrants, errant sprinklers, abandoned free-flowing wells, etc.) to the property owner, local authorities or your water agency.
41. Encourage your school system and local government to help develop and promote a water conservation ethic among children and adults.
42. Support projects that will lead to an increased use of reclaimed waste water for irrigation and other uses.
43. Support efforts and programs that create a concern for water conservation among tourists and visitors to our state. Make sure your visitors understand the need for, and benefits of, water conservation.
44. Encourage your friends and neighbors to be part of a water-conscious community. Promote water conservation in community newsletters, on bulletin boards and by example. Encourage your friends, neighbors and co-workers to “do their part.”
45. Conserve water because it is the right thing to do. Don’t waste water just because someone else is footing the bill, such as when you are staying at a hotel.
I guess if we just pick a few ideas from the list above, we will be doing a great part towards water conservation!!
Marie Miller did you just surpass your Bocce Ball post??
Marie Miller,
You gave more water conservation tips than I thought was possible. Thanks for your research.
HGTV should hire you as a research assistant. I volunteer to proofread for you.
Thanks again Rob and Mary!!
I think that water conservation is very important especially in big cities! People may think that the way they use their water is very important but less is more!
I think that it is very important to get products like Kohler to further reinforce durable products with great water usage!
Ed: It’s possible!!
Lessie: If I were hired by HGTV as a research assistant, I would definitely need your services of proof-reading my script!! I love to write, but my brain stays way ahead of my fingers! I love computers…I guess because all those years ago I had to type on non-correctible typewriters…it was sheer torture having to type a ‘letter perfect’ Will without one mistake…the computer came along and allowed typing faster without fear of typos!! Such a wonderful creation…it made my work life so much more enjoyable! However, the ease in speed, helps me ignore what my fingers are doing! I sight type a lot..so, I’m not really looking at what I’m typing…SO, YOU’RE HIRED!!!
Marie Miller,
I accept the job!!!
A question for you guys who love to do the research for such.
Does it pay to replace working appliances with ‘green’ ones just to have ‘green’ products. Where do all these appliances end up but in the dumps.
Also for people changing heating systems, complete water works in homes, etc. doesn’t it make more sense to just keep the items you have and use until break down for good than to replace and discard to have a ‘green’ product’????
water conservation is so important. there are so many people out there that have no clue or are just to ignorant to learn. a little off the subject but as i was looking through the photos of the green home, i noticed there was no information on a heating/cooling system (not that you would need heat in port st lucie!) is there such system and if so is that eco friendly? i also noticed there wasn’t a microwave. i wonder how much energy that wastes. does anyone know?