Water is a precious resource that we need to conserve.  Unfortunately, we are a wasteful society and the waste goes way beyond trash sent to landfills.  Yes, you should recycle and compost, but what about water consumption?  There are many times when you run that tap excessively and unnecessarily.  I’ve been guilty of it myself.  But I’ve found that conserving water is one of the easy lifestyle changes to make in my effort to go green.  I wanted to share some of the simple and common ways that you can help save water armed only with a water-conscious approach.

Here are 10 simple ways to help conserve water:

1. Turn off the water when you’re brushing your teeth and you can save 25 gallons of water per month.
2. Soak those pots and pans in soapy water instead of letting the water run while you scrub to clean them.
3. Make sure you do all your planting in the fall when the weather conditions are cooler and rainfall is more abundant.
4. Like a cold drink of water?  Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge instead of running the tap and avoid wasting water down the drain.  Going out?  Fill up a reusable stainless steel water bottle at home instead of buying a one-time use plastic bottle.  It takes 3 times as much water to produce 1 plastic bottle of water.
5. If you turn off the water when shaving and you can save up to 300 gallons a month.
6. You should always water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening because temperatures are cooler and this will help diminish evaporation.
7. Fresh Fruits and vegetables should be washed in a pan or bowl filled with water instead of rinsing them while running water from the tap.
8. Adjust your lawn mower. A taller lawn is plush and shades your roots while absorbing and maintaining soil moisture better than if it is closely trimmed.
9. When running a bath, don’t wait for the water to get hot.  Plug the tub before turning the water on and adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
10. Take shorter showers and use a water-efficient showerhead – it can save 750+ gallons of water a month. They are not expensive and simple to install.

Follow any or all of these tips and you’ll save gallons of water a month.  Plus, you will even save on your water bill.  It’s the new politics of water – a water conservative.  So turn off the tap and slow the flow of superfluous water use.  Water conservation and reducing consumption is another key step towards a greener lifestyle – and the best part, it’s an easy change in behavior for a healthier planet.

Tags: composting, conserve water, Go Green, Green Living, greener lifestyle, planet forward, preserve natural resources, preserve water, Recycling, reduce consumption, reduce water consumption, water conservation, water consumption