It is easy to take water for granted when you can turn on a tap for an instant supply; in fact, the average American uses around 100 gallons of water per day. While less than half of that is used for drinking or cooking, nearly all of it is potable water from the local water provider. With that in mind, here are a few ways to implement eco-friendly water use practices outside the home.
Watering The Plants And Garden
One of the most eco-friendly ways to water your garden is with recycled water. Harvesting rainwater can be as simple as directing gutters to an empty garbage can or barrel. This is a great way to significantly reduce the amount of potable water used. Create your own rainwater harvesting system and start saving thousands of gallons of tap water each year!
Washing The Car And Cleaning The Patio
Using a hose equipped with an automatic shutoff nozzle is an eco-friendly way to clean your car and patio. A hose without an automatic shutoff nozzle uses about 100 gallons of water with a 10 minute car wash, compared to just 30 gallons with an automatic shutoff nozzle. Additional savings can be found through the use of a pressure washer. While pressure washers require energy to operate, the only require, on average, 2 to 5 gallons of water per minute.
For patios and decks, use a broom to sweep off any debris prior to using the hose. This will expedite the process and reduce the amount of water required.
Written by Jess Walter
Edited by Caleb LaPointe
