Using Less Water
| Summary Why conserve water? Wise use of water is a good idea for many reasons:
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- On average, North American cities use twice as much water per person as Western European cities and seven times that used in developing countries.
- In the United States, five billion gallons of water are flushed down toilets each day. Use of low flow toilets would cut use to 1.5 billion gallons. Replacing standard 3.5 gallon toilets with 1.6 gallon toilets would save an average household 12,000 gallons of water per year.
- How is water used in homes? An evaluation in 2000 in Lincoln, Nebraska by the city's government showed that, on average, a family of four uses 300 to 400 gallons of water each day. That 300 to 400 gallons average water use is attributed to the following uses:
- Toilet flushing - 42 percent
- Showers and Bathing - 30 percent
- Laundry - 14 percent
- Dishwashing - 6 percent
- Drinking and cooking - 5 percent
- Bathroom sinks - 3 percent
Where does water go after it is used? Most municipalities operate and maintain water treatment facilities.
The city of Lincoln, Nebraska's Theresa Street water plant treats about 30 million gallons of water a day. During the summer when water use increases, Lincoln's water system delivers 80 to 90 million gallons a day to customers.
Ways To Reduce Water Use In Your Home
There are any number of ways water use can be reduced around the home:
- Reduce total indoor water use by installing efficient fixtures and appliances.
- Have an efficient and drought resistant landscape that incorporates xeriscape techniques. Other suggestions include planting low-water use turf and using microclimate improvements.
- Control runoff from the property using appropriate guttering and landscape designs.
- Have a responsible irrigation schedule.
- Be frugal with water use.
Ways to Cut Water Use in New Homes
If you are planning to build a new home, consider these water saving options:
- Shower heads have a maximum flow rating of 2.5 gallons per minute
- Toilets have a maximum water usage rating of 1.6 gallons per flush
- Permeable paving materials are used in at least 60 percent of all paving areas such as walkways, patios and driveways
- Low water use grasses such as blue gramma, buffalo or fescue are planted
- A valved distribution system is installed in the home
- A xeriscaped landscape is installed in more than 80 percent of the property's non-paved areas
- The kitchen sink has a maximum flow rating of 2.0 gallons per minute
- A front loading horizontal axis clothes washer is included in the home
- The home has a water conserving irrigation system with rain-override timer or soil moisture sensor; other features include drip irrigation, soaker hoses and bubblers and zoned irrigation with separate valving for plants' needs
- A graywater irrigation system is installed in the home
- Copper piping is used for all potable water lines
- The site is graded to direct water away from foundations to a harvesting area that prevents water runoff
- No garbage disposal is included
Other Resources on Reducing Water Use
- NebFacts Making Decisions: Household Water Saving Equipment Practices
- University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County — Water Conservation
- University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources — Conserving Water in the Landscape
- Lincoln Water System Why Conserve? and Wise Ways to Save Water Indoors
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