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Water conservation has become a very well-known concern. Fresh water supplies are being depleted all over the world. The majority of the earth’s surface is covered with water, but only 3% of it is freshwater. Water conservation is more prominent in public discourse with every passing year. Some states already enforce conservation standards, and Arlington, TX has experienced periodic droughts.

Benefits of water conservation, other than environmental impact, include reduced water utility bills, less impact on infrastructure, and reduced energy use. and there are many good reasons to think about water conservation. A good plumber can help you. 

Conserve Water with Fixtures and Infrastructure

Successful water conservation depends on realistic and relatively simple habits. A regime of restrictive, time-consuming, expensive, or inconvenient actions has very little chance of success. Contact a plumber to upgrade fixtures for a simple, one-time fix that saves thousands of gallons of water per year.

Toilets

Older toilets waste large amounts of water. Toilets made before 1993 used between 3.5 to 7 gallons of water with each flush, while toilets made after 1993 use 1.6 gallons of water or less with each flush. A recent study from the Alliance for Water Efficiency estimates that 360 billion gallons of water could be saved each year in the United States by replacing every remaining toilet made before 1993 with newer models. Your plumber can help.

Modern ultra-efficient toilet models only use 1.28 gallons of water with each flush. Replacing an old toilet with a new model reduces water consumption by approximately 5.5 gallons every time the toilet is flushed. This could result in over 10,000 gallons of water saved each year for a family of four. Replacing an inefficient toilet is one of the easiest ways to save water because no one misses water that was only used for flushing. Many people do not notice anything different.

A dual flush toilet saves even more water. It offers two options for each flush. Choose a light flush with 0.8 gallons of water for liquid waste or a heavier flush for solid waste. Most households find the light option sufficient in 3 out of every 5 flushes. Consumers can purchase a new dual flush toilet or contact a professional plumber to convert a standard toilet to a dual flush system.

Showers

The average American household uses 17-25% of total indoor water consumption for showers. An average family of four uses approximately 40 gallons of water each day for showering. A low-flow showerhead uses approximately 2.5 gallons of water or less per minute.

Rainfall-type showerheads use up to 20 gallons of water per minute. Each person in a home can save 90% of the water used for showers simply by switching to a low-flow showerhead. A plumber makes sure the shower valve is appropriately sized to fit the replacement head.

Faucets

Faucets are another great opportunity to reduce water use. The EPA states that faucets account for approximately 15% of indoor water use. Water used during daily tasks such as brushing your teeth, handwashing, or washing dishes may seem trivial, but it can add up to significant amounts.

Inefficient faucets go through 2.5 gallons of water per minute, while

more efficient models use only 1.5 gallons per minute. Aerators and flow restrictors can be added to faucets to reduce water use without replacing fixtures. Aerators often reduce water coming out of faucets to less than 1 gallon per minute. Ask your local plumber about appropriate additions to your home’s fixtures.

Plumbing Infrastructure and Leaks

A home’s sewer system is often overlooked when it comes to water conservation. Keeping the plumbing infrastructure in your home in good working order is essential for efficient water use in your Arlington, TX home. 

Replacing old pipes may help households cut down on wasted water. Water leaking from damaged pipes adds up, even if the leak is barely noticeable. A professional plumber views the interior of your home’s plumbing pipes with a video inspection drone. This process is used to evaluate joint integrity, identify leaks, and look for other problems.

Compromised sewer lines waste water every time a backup occurs and water is discharged without going where it should be. Up to 1 trillion gallons of water in the United States is wasted through plumbing problems such as leaks, faulty fixtures, and old or damaged pipes.

A faucet leaking at a rate of 10 drips per minute wastes 526 gallons of water each year. Leaks around toilets are especially problematic because they often occur in places that are not easily visible. These leaks may continue for a long time before they are noticed, and toilets use a significant amount of water during normal function. A leak can waste up to 200 gallons in one day. Call your local plumber right away if you suspect a leak around the toilet or anywhere else in the bathroom.

Low-Pressure Valves

Low-pressure valves are another plumbing intervention that reduces water consumption. These valves are especially useful when water pressure in a home’s plumbing system is 60 pounds per square inch or higher. High water pressure can damage pipes and fixtures. Call a plumber to install low-pressure valves to reduce wasted water and extend the lifetime of your home’s plumbing system.

Recirculating Pumps

Recirculating pumps are an extremely effective tool to conserve water and reduce energy use. They’re an option to talk to your plumber about. The pump moves hot water to an outlet while transporting cold water back to a heat source. Water loses heat in proportion to the distance it travels from a heat source, such as a boiler or water heater, to a fixture. Recirculating pumps reduce the distance hot water travels.

Many people waste some water while waiting for it to get warm every time they wash their hands or shower. No water is wasted while a recirculating pump is in use because hot water is continuously pumped to fixtures before they are turned on. A switch or sensor activates the pump. 

Reduce Water Used By Appliances

Washing Machines

Have your plumber replace older washing machines with Energy Star models. Energy Star machines use an average of 40% less water than standard models. They also save time and reduce energy use. High-efficiency washing machines spin faster to remove more water. This lets clothes dry more quickly when they come out of the wash.

Use cold water when you can for even more energy savings. Always choose the appropriate water level setting for each load of clothing. Front-load and many top-load machines have auto-load sensors that automatically choose the correct amount of water for load size.

Plumbers may suggest only using heavy-duty settings when clothing really is exceptionally soiled, and pay attention to detergent use. Heavy-duty cycles use extra water and take more time, and too much detergent extends the rinse cycle in HE washing machines.

Water Filtration Systems

Many people in TX use water filtration systems in their homes. Homeowners concerned with water conservation have to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each system. Reverse osmosis systems hit extreme points on quality and wasted water. These systems provide clean water with a pleasant taste. Unfortunately, reverse osmosis also wastes four gallons of water for each gallon produced.

Other water filtration options have varying levels of water quality and water use efficiency, so each household has to decide which quality is more important or determine an appropriate compromise. A local plumber is a great resource to help you choose the best water filtration method to meet your needs.

People often waste more water than they realize with dishwashers. Do not rinse dishes clean before placing them in the dishwasher. This habit is very wasteful because it is unnecessary and water running full force, which is very common when rinsing food from plates, can go through 7 gallons of water per minute.

Dishwashers

Energy Star dishwashers use only 4-6 gallons of water throughout an entire cycle. Wait until the dishwasher is full before running it to conserve water and increase performance for machines designed to function with full loads.

People often waste more water than they realize with dishwashers. Do not rinse dishes clean before placing them in the dishwasher. This habit is very wasteful because it is unnecessary and water running full force, which is very common when rinsing food from plates, can go through 7 gallons of water per minute. If you need help choosing a dishwasher talk to your plumber for some options. 

Use two basins or both sides of a dual sink for washing dishes by hand. Fill one side with soapy water and the other side with rinse water to avoid running water constantly just to rinse dishes. Scrubbing heavily soiled pots and pans under running water is another potentially wasteful habit. Soak them in a basin of water for an hour instead.

Water Filtration Systems

Many people in Arlington, TX use water filtration systems in their homes. Homeowners concerned with water conservation have to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each system. Reverse osmosis systems hit extreme points on quality and wasted water. These systems provide clean water with a pleasant taste. Unfortunately, reverse osmosis also wastes four gallons of water for each gallon produced.

Other water filtration options have varying levels of water quality and water use efficiency, so each household has to decide which quality is more important or determine an appropriate compromise. A local plumber is a great resource to help you choose the best water filtration method to meet your needs.

Daily Habits

Avoid wasted water with small adjustments of daily habits and household tasks. Do not put any material except toilet paper into your toilet. Toilet paper is biodegradable, but tissues, moist wipes, dental floss, and most other commonly flushed items are not. These items cause clogs or build-up on pipes that reduce flushing efficiency. Water is wasted with every extra flush required to push waste through clogged pipes.

The entire family can contribute to water conservation. Refrigerate drinking water instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cold. Assign a glass or water bottle to each person in the household. Garbage disposals use a lot of water and it is not easy to reduce the amount. Compost food scraps instead of using the disposal. A plumber can talk you through what is safe and what is not to put down your disposal as well. 

Take showers instead of baths and limit showers to 5 minutes. Some people turn off the water while washing their hair or applying soap. You can also turn off the faucet while shaving or brushing your teeth.

Alternative Water Sources

Households can practice water conservation habits that are not directly related to a home’s plumbing. Rainwater harvesting or storm water collection are terms for systems that redirect water caught in gutters into a barrel or other container instead of hitting the ground or funneling it into storm drains.

Most harvesting systems include filters to catch leaves and other large debris. Filtered rainwater is perfect for watering gardens and indoor plants. It is also an excellent resource for outdoor cleaning and maintenance tasks, such as washing a vehicle.

Using rainwater for such tasks utilizes a free resource instead of using water from a utility company. Collection systems with more extensive filtering processes can be used in bathtubs, washing machines, and sinks. It is not safe for drinking and cooking.

Leftover grey water from bathroom sinks, bathtubs, showers, and washing machines can be used for watering lawns and gardens. Some homes have grey water recirculation systems, but they are not permitted everywhere yet. Grey water needs to be used within 24 hours to avoid foul odors from the breakdown of organic debris in the used water.

Plumbers are professionals with comprehensive knowledge of household plumbing systems and water use. Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, TX to help you determine the best strategies and changes to conserve water in your household. Professionals recognize problems and identify opportunities to reduce water use that people without plumbing experience may not notice. Their plumbers also install new plumbing fixtures and appliances quickly and efficiently.