Written by Morgan Tiar |
Flushing the toilet, washing your hands, cleaning dishes, laundry, quenching your thirst – these all take water, and lots of it. Eighty-five percent of Reno’s water comes from the Truckee River, which is supplied from snow and rain fall throughout the year. So far this year we are a bit dry with our snowpack at about 60 percent of normal. It is time to think about water conservation.
You can do simple and inexpensive things in your home to help conserve water. Get a low flow toilet – 1.6 gallons per flush. If you don’t have one, simply put a rock-filled jar in your toilet’s tank to take up space and cut down on water usage. Toilets are about 20 percent of a household’s usage. Low flow showerheads are readily available, easy to install and can save up to 20,000 gallons yearly. For your sinks, install faucet aerators. These are inexpensive and can reduce the flow to 1.5 gallons per minute compared to three to five gallons that standard faucet use.
Other simple tips:
• Turn water off when brushing your teeth, washing your face, etc.
• If you like cold drinking water, keep a pitcher in the fridge instead of running your water to get cold.
• Run full loads in your dishwasher and washing machine. Use efficient machines if possible.
• Water your lawns and gardens at night or early in the morning. Less water will evaporate.
• Use the water you cooked your pasta, veggies, or other foods to water your plants.
References:
1. National Geographic Green Guide www.thegreenguide.com
2. Truckee Meadows Water Authority www.TMWA.com
For more info, contact EcoReno, LLC at (775) 324-6326.
