# 5 Things to Know About Water Conservation

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/06/5-things-to-know-about-water-shower-conserve/
- Published: 2022-06-22T22:03:49-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Water conservation is something many households take for granted. Especially in 
areas with an [abundance](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/05/consider-our-water-resources-during-waters-worth-it-month/)
of water. For you might not think about how much fresh water you [waste](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/03/ford-asia-pacific-and-africa-plants-reduce-water-use-by-25/)
from day to day. In hot weather, it’s even more [important](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/02/whats-lurking-in-your-water/)
to conserve water. [Droughts](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/04/sloan-inaugurates-the-water-councils-water-stewardship-program-wave/)
make water scarce, and you might be fined for [wasting](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/11/october-offers-opportunities-to-shower-yourself-with-savings/)
water. 

So water conservation or conserving water is also about [conserves](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/02/clean-safe-water-is-the-true-staff-of-life/)
[energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/05/5-ways-businesses-can-decrease-their-footprint-and-save-energy/).
It’s better for the [planet](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/04/water-purification-designs-ldc-communities/)
if you use less water in your daily activities. By making a few simple changes and
knowing a bit more about where your water is going, you can start to conserve water
more aggressively.

![Water conservation is something many households take for granted. In an area with
an abundance of water, you might not think about how much fresh water you waste 
from day to day. In hot weather, it's even more important to conserve water. Droughts
make water scarce, and you might be fined for wasting water.](https://i0.wp.com/
greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/david-becker-rrfdqjJWwmU-unsplash.
jpg?resize=420%2C278&quality=52&ssl=1)

## **1.  Shorter Showers Save Water**

You may know that taking excessive baths wastes water and that swapping to showers
can help with water conservation. It makes sense that shorter showers would [save](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/08/epa-watersense-h2otel-challenge-encourage-water-savings/)
you water. Shower routines are important, but you should try to shorten your routine
as much as possible while still adhering to every step you deem necessary. While
it is okay to treat yourself to a long shower or bath when you need it. Yet shorter
showers are friendlier to the environment.

Fans of hot water may feel dismayed — it’s more energy-efficient to shower in [cooler](https://slate.com/technology/2009/10/exactly-how-bad-should-i-feel-about-taking-hot-showers.html)
water because you’re not wasting time waiting for the water to heat up. That fact
doesn’t mean that you should only take cold showers, though. Consider cutting down
on the frequency you take hot showers and choose to take lukewarm ones instead. 
Besides, a little cold water can’t hurt you. Some believe that colder showers improve
circulation and concentration.

## **2. Stop Irrigating Your Lawn**

How often do you water your lawn? While having a beautiful green yard might be a
dream, it’s not always realistic. The amount of water your grass needs is dependent
upon several factors, like the type of soil it’s growing in. Many homes sit atop
clay soil, which doesn’t absorb water as quickly as loam or sand. If your grass 
grows out of clay soil, consider using [less](https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/landscaping/lawn-water-management/)
water on it but watering it for a longer period. If you use too much force all at
once, the water will be [run off](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/12/214000-grant-to-mason-city-iowa-for-drinking-water-improvements/)
and lost, being no use to your yard at all. 

Aim to keep your grass alive, but don’t overwater it. Overwatering can be bad for
both [plants and the rest of the environment](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/01/local-treatment-plant-site-for-contaminated-groundwater/).
The run-off [water](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/12/lead-water-pipes-threatening-illinois-communities/)
that comes from overwatering your lawn can lead to erosion in other sources or might
contribute to water damage near your home’s foundation.

#### **3. Don’t Cut Back on Your Own Water**

Even though you want to help with water conservation in several areas of your life,
you don’t want to stop drinking the right amount of water for you. On average, adults
need around eight glasses of [water per day](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/04/earth-day-2015-innovations-in-water-technology/),
but your personal water intake will depend on your size and how active you are. 

You lose water when you sleep, so it’s [easy to become dehydrated overnight](https://mobileivmedics.com/dehydration-at-night/)
if you don’t take care of yourself and drink enough water during the day. You can
use a [water tracker app to ensure](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/03/mar-systems-clean-snow-ensuring-clean-water-in-winter/)
you get your recommended daily intake. Just make sure that you’re opting for filtered
faucet water rather than drinking from water bottles if you can.

#### **4. Leaks Can Add Up**

Leaks aren’t great for anyone. You should always check to ensure your faucets aren’t
dripping — unless they absolutely need to, like when they have the potential to 
freeze in the winter — and take care of any leaks as soon as you notice them. Small
leaks can spiral into huge ones. Around [50% of household water is lost](https://www.technologynetworks.com/applied-sciences/news/up-to-50-of-water-lost-to-leaks-in-us-heres-how-we-stop-it-331459)
due to leaks. Pinpointing them and stopping them is essential in water conservation.

This notion counts for leaks in your houseplants, too. Whether they live indoors
or outside, you should avoid watering your plants during the hottest part of the
day. When you water them in off-times, you increase their chance of actually absorbing
the water before it evaporates. Try watering them in the morning or after the sun
has gone down for best results.

### **5. Making Small Changes Is Essential**

Small changes in your lifestyle can add up to big wins for the [environment](https://greenlivingguy.com/2005/05/global-warming-change-a-small-few-non-believers-say-no/)
and your energy bills. One easy way to [conserve water](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/05/spatap-develops-an-eco-friendly-portable-shower/)
is to plan your meals ahead of time. Instead of pulling frozen meat out of the freezer
and dethawing it on the same day, you can stick it in the refrigerator the night
before to let it thaw out slowly. That way, you’re not wasting a sink full of water
while trying to get your meat to thaw quickly before dinnertime.

You can also reevaluate how you treat your garden. Pesticides can contribute to 
[water pollution](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/01/city-of-tyler-texas-agrees-to-extensive-sewer-system-upgrades-and-operational-improvements-to-comply-with-clean-water-act/).
When you water your plants, pesticides can wash into the water and into the soil.
They can pollute the ground they run onto as well as wherever the water takes them.
If the leftover water runs off into a body of water, wildlife may drink from it.
Consider using an alternative to pesticides in your garden to prevent pollution.

#### **Water Is the Source of Life**

Since fresh water is so [rare](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/10/5-key-ways-buying-a-water-softener-can-help-you-save-money/),
you should pay more attention to what you use it for. Don’t take your clean water
for [granted](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/09/6-water-contaminants-that-could-harm-your-health/).
I mean some people may not have the luxuries that you do. By cutting back on water,
you’re conserving it for families and households that may need it more while also
improving your [carbon footprint](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/06/easiest-ways-to-reduce-your-carbon-footprint/).
You’ll also pay less on your monthly bills — but that’s just a bonus when you consider
the huge helping hand you’re giving the environment.

Kara Reynolds is the Editor-in-Chief of [Momish Magazine](http://momish.com) and
believes in science, that climate change is real, and is doing her part to keep 
Mother Earth healthy for the future of her four kids. 

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
s=300&d=monsterid&r=g)

 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

 [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [  ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)