Running a faucet for five minutes uses as much electricity (for water purification, delivery, and treatment) as burning a 60 watt light bulb for 14 hours? In fact, according to the EPA, 3% of the United State's electricity is used to purify, deliver, and treat residential water.
Average US Water Price (2007): $1.50 per 1000 gallons
A dripping faucet can waste more than 2000 gallons of water per year
Americans drink 110 million gallons of water per year
Less than 2% of Earth's water supply is fresh
Effective water conservation requires a basic analysis of residential water conservation measures. In deciding what actions to take, one must consider the activities and actions that waste the most water:
Showering and Bathing:
Combined, these two activities account for more than 27% of the water used in an average American residence. A ten minute shower can consume over 40 gallons of water. In order to reduce water lost to showering and bathing, consider taking shorter showers, and only shower once per day.
Landscaping:
According to data from California, more than half the water used in the state is used for landscaping and lawn-watering. Since this water does not need to be pure, it could easily come from a source other than the municipal water system. Consider investing in a greywater system if you have a large garden or extensive landscaping. If you have a small garden, get a rain barrel and use it for your watering.
Toilet Flushing:
In the average home, toilet flushing accounts for
over 800 gallons of water use per week. Installing low flow toilets, or toilets that utilize a dual-flush system, can reduce the impact of toilet flushing on your water use. Also, since toilet water need not be pure, greywater systems are an excellent way to solve this water conservation problem.
Dish Washing:
Washing dishes consumes more water than some people imagine. To cut down on wasted water, use the dishwasher--it only requires 8-12 gallons to get the job done. Hand washing, on the other hand, requires up to 20. If you must do the dishes by hand, fill the sink with soapy water rather than letting the faucet run constantly.
Clothes Washing:
Although modern washing machines are relatively efficient, washing clothing still consumes a good deal of water. To decrease water use, only run the washing machine when you have enough laundry to use the Large or Extra Large cycle. Also, consider purchasing an HE washing machine if you ever decide to upgrade your current model.