The Green Parent

It’s “Money-Saving May” at The Green Parent and all month long we’re looking for ways to save money by going green. Today we’re talking water…conserving it not only protects the planet, it can also save you a fortune each month on your water, energy, and sewage bills. Here’s how:

1. Skip The Drips: Dripping faucets and leaky pipes waste thousands of gallons of water each year…sending your hard earned money straight down the drain. Most leaks can be fixed quickly with inexpensive plumbing repair tape. Not sure if your toilet is leaking? Drop a little food coloring in your toilet tank. If the color seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak.
2. Give A Dam:

   You only need about 2 gallons of water to successfully flush your toilet, yet some toilets use as much as 10! Save hundreds of gallons of water each month by creating a “toilet dam.” Fill a plastic bottle with pebbles or water and place it in your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used with each flush.

3. Water Sparingly: Save water outdoors by watering plants only as necessary. Use a rain gauge or monitor the soil around plants to check for moisture. When you do need it, water plants early in the morning as cooler temperatures reduce evaporation.

4. Go Low-Flow: Showers make up a big chunk (roughly 22 percent) of the average family’s water bill. And showers hit the pocketbook three times…you pay to buy the water, to heat it, and to carry it away. Low-flow shower heads can help to reduce water use by as much as 500 to 800 gallons of water per month. Check with your local water authority to see if they offer a discounts or coupons for water saving gadgets.
5. Keep Your Cool: Thirsty? Keep a bottle or pitcher of water in the refrigerator so that you and your kids won’t have to run the tap to get a cool drink.