Water is considered a renewable resource, but pressures are growing and places like California are forced to cut back by around 35 percent every year due to drought. We in Canada are a nation of water-wasters, flooding our backyards every winter for hockey rinks and indulging frequently in long, hot showers, but at what cost? Conserving water just makes sense, and to help you get started, here are 20 ways to conserve water, drought or not.

  1. Install an energy efficient dishwasher and save 3-8 gallons of water per load. Unsure about the installation process? Call Red Deer Plumb-Pro.
  2. Run the dishwasher/washing machine only when full.
  3. Scrape your plate instead of rinsing it off.
  4. Call us at Plumb-Pro to retrofit or adapt older water fixtures and appliances.
  5. Trade in your showerhead for a low-flow showerhead that is more economical. Call our residential journeyman plumbers for more information.
  6. Take shorter showers and turn off the tap while soaping up.
  7. Review your water bill monthly to check for unusually high use.
  8. Call Red Deer Plumb-Pro to fix leaky or running toilets and test for leaks at least once per year. Regular plumbing maintenance never hurts.
  9. Pour leftover water on plants rather than dumping it down the drain.
  10. Install a high-efficiency toilet and save 19 gallons per person per day with Gravity-Fed, Pressure Assist and Dual-Flush models. Red Deer Plumb-Pro specializes in home plumbing construction and plumbing modifications, so give us a call!
  11. If it’s yellow, let it mellow, especially if you live alone.
  12. Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket.
  13. Fix dripping faucets and leaky pipes right away.
  14. Don’t let the water run – use bowls of water to rinse fruits and vegetables, and rinse your toothbrush in a cup. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth too.
  15. Use a rain barrel.
  16. Shut off the hose between washing and rinsing your car. Better yet, fill a bucket when soaping it up!
  17. Thaw frozen food overnight instead of running it under hot water.
  18. Keep your drinking water in the fridge to keep it cold rather than running the tap.
  19. Turn sprinklers off during the day and water your lawn in the early morning or later in the day when temperatures are cooler and there is less chance of evaporation.
  20. Avoid over watering – a typical lawn only requires one water every 4-5 days.