10 ways to shrink water waste and save money

Water is a precious resource, and in our journey towards a more sustainable lifestyle we should all take all the necessary steps to reduce water waste in our home.

Around 60 percent of our body is made up of water, and we can survive without it only for three to five days.

We also use water a lot in our daily lives: altough the majority of water withdrawals are made by the agriculture sector, the use for domestic purposes has registered a considerable increase compared to other sectors in the last few years; and research shows that water demand is likely to go up dramatically in parallel with a growing urbanization.

Depending on where you live, you might be blessed with an abundance of available drinking water, easily accessible from the tap. But according to Unesco, roughly half of the world’s population experiences severe water scarcity for at least part of the year. Water is a finite resource, and it is therefore important we all implement strategies to avoid wasting it wherever we are.

Lower consumption means also lower bills, and you know how passionate we are about saving money here at “Live Simply, Live More”!

Turn off the tap on waste with these tips

If you have been reading this blog you might have noticed that we also do love a list, so we’ve put together our top ten tips on saving water at home to help you to enjoy your tap water without wasting it:

• Do a home water audit. A good maintenance of your house can go a long way in reducing your bills, and that is especially true when talking about water. Check your faucets, toilet and pipes, and fix any leak as soon as you find it.
• Install Low-Flow Fixtures. When choosing some of the fixtures in your house, go for low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and dual-flush toilets.
• Smart Irrigation Systems: Using drip irrigation, moisture sensors, and timers for efficient garden watering.
• Rainwater Harvesting: Collecting rainwater with barrels for outdoor use.
• Collect greywater. Water from sinks, showers, or washing machines can be reused for watering plants and gardens, or for toilet flushing.
• Efficient Appliance Use: Running dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads.
• Take shorter Showers: According to a study of the Water Research Foundation, the average shower uses roughly 17 gallons of water and lasts for around eight minutes.

• Water-Efficient Landscaping (Xeriscaping): Choosing drought-resistant, native plants that require less water.
• Turn it off: Turn off the tap when you are not using water while brushing teeth or soaping up dishes. When you use it, turn it on only as high as you need it.
• Be smart: Use smart meters or apps to monitor water usage and manage it effectively.

Learning how to reduce water waste will help you save money and make your house more sustainable. If you combine it with some energy efficiency practices, you will start living in a greener and less expensive home in no time!

You can find our tips on how to save energy here.