As the summer temperatures rise and a heatwave sets in, conserving water becomes critical. With increased heat comes increased water usage, straining water resources and infrastructure. You may notice changes in water pressure or even temporary water restrictions during periods of extreme heat. There are several steps you can take to reduce excess water usage in your home and do your part to avoid depleting this precious resource. Implementing small changes to your daily routine and habits can have a significant impact on your water footprint and help ensure there is enough to go around for all in your community. Read on to discover easy ways to cut back on water usage during the hottest days of summer without significantly impacting your comfort or daily activities. Together, we can all work for water saving during heatwave to sustainably manage water resources even when demand is at its peak.
What to do in a Heatwave
Heatwave tips things to do in a heatwave :
Limit Outdoor Watering
To conserve water during extreme heat, it is essential to cut back on outdoor water usage. This includes limiting activities like watering lawns, washing vehicles, and filling swimming pools.
As a homeowner, one of the biggest ways to reduce outdoor water waste is to minimise lawn watering. Only water 1-2 times a week at most, and avoid watering on windy days when much of the water will evaporate before reaching your lawn. Water in the early morning when temperatures are cooler, and make sure not to overwater – lawns only need about an inch of water per week to stay green. You can also raise your lawn mower blade to at least 3 inches in height, as longer grass helps the soil retain more moisture.
Washing vehicles, RVs, boats and other recreational equipment also requires a substantial amount of water. Limit washing to once a month or less, or take your vehicles to a car wash that recycles water. If washing at home, use a hose with an automatic shutoff nozzle and wash quickly.
Swimming pools lose water through evaporation and splashing, especially in hot weather. Cover pools when not in use to minimise evaporation. Also avoid draining and refilling pools during heatwaves. Only run pool filters and pumps for a few hours per day instead of continuously.
By curbing outdoor water use as much as possible during high temperatures, individuals and communities can conserve a significant amount of water. Every drop counts, so do your part and limit watering, washing and pool use until the extreme heat has passed. Together we can make a difference.
Take Shorter Showers
During an extended heatwave, it’s critical to conserve water whenever possible. One of the easiest ways to save water is by taking shorter showers.
Limit showers to 5 minutes or less
Keeping your showers under 5 minutes can save up to 25 gallons of water per shower. Time yourself to see how long your average shower lasts and make an effort to cut it down. Turn the water off while soaping up and shampooing and only turn it back on to rinse.
Use a low-flow showerhead
Installing a water-efficient showerhead can reduce your water usage by up to 40%. Low-flow showerheads, especially those with a WaterSense label, provide a satisfying shower experience while using much less water.
Turn off the faucet when not in use
Don’t run the water while brushing your teeth, washing dishes or doing other activities. Only turn the faucet on when you need it and turn it off when you are done. This simple habit can save up to 200 gallons of water per day for a family of four.
Take “military showers”
When water is in short supply, take “military showers” where you turn the water on to get wet, turn it off to soap up and shampoo, then turn it back on to rinse off. Repeat this on and off process for the duration of your shower. This technique can save up to 75% of the water used during a normal shower.
By making a few small changes to the way you shower, you can save a significant amount of water which helps ensure there is enough to meet essential needs during periods of extreme heat. Every drop counts, so do your part and shorten those showers!
Install Water-Saving Fixtures
To save water during a heatwave, install water-efficient fixtures in your home.
Low-Flow Showerheads
According to the EPA, showerheads can account for nearly 17% of residential water use. Installing a low-flow showerhead can reduce your shower water usage by 40% or more. Low-flow showerheads, which restrict water flow to 2.5 gallons per minute or less, provide an invigorating spray while using less water. Many models are affordable and easy to install yourself by screwing onto your existing shower arm.
Faucet Aerators
Faucet aerators are inexpensive attachments you can screw onto your bathroom and kitchen faucets to reduce water flow. Aerators can decrease water usage from your faucets by 30-60% while maintaining a strong water stream. Faucet aerators are very budget-friendly, typically costing between $2 to $10 each.
Dual-Flush or Low-Flush Toilets
If you have an older toilet, it likely uses 3.5 gallons or more per flush. Newer high-efficiency toilets (HETs) use 1.28 gallons per flush or less. Dual-flush toilets offer a half-flush option for liquid waste that uses just 0.8 gallons. Replacing your existing toilets with HETs or dual-flush models can save a household more than 10,000 gallons of water per year. Many water utilities offer rebates for purchasing water-efficient toilets.
Tankless Water Heaters
Traditional water heaters constantly heat and reheat water, which leads to energy and water waste. Tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand water heaters, only heat water as needed. They provide an endless supply of hot water but without the standby heat loss associated with tank-style heaters. Tankless water heaters can save energy and water usage by up to 50% compared to a standard model. Although tankless heaters have a higher upfront cost, many homeowners find that energy and water bill savings offset that cost over time.
By installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances in your home, especially in the bathroom and kitchen, you can achieve significant water savings during a heatwave and all year round. Making upgrades to your plumbing fixtures and water-using devices is an easy way to do your part in water conservation.
Fix Leaks Promptly
To prevent excess water usage during a heatwave, it is essential to fix any leaks in your home’s plumbing system promptly. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average household wastes more than 10,000 gallons of water each year from leaks enough to fill a residential swimming pool.
Inspect Faucets and Showerheads
Inspect the faucets and showerheads in your home for drips or leaks. Even a small drip can waste gallons of water per day. Replacing washers or cartridges is often an easy fix. For showers, check that showerheads are securely tightened and consider replacing old shower heads with low-flow models that can reduce water usage.
Check Toilets
Toilets are another source of water waste in many homes. Check for running toilets by placing a few drops of food colouring in the tank. If colour appears in the bowl within 30 minutes, your toilet likely has an internal leak. Replacing old or damaged toilet flappers is an inexpensive repair that can save thousands of liters per day. For more serious leaks or malfunctions, it may be necessary to replace internal toilet tank components or the entire valve assembly.
Examine Pipe Fittings and Joints
Examine where water pipes join together or change direction, known as joints and fittings. Even minor drips at these connection points can lead to substantial water loss over time. Look for signs of moisture or mineral buildup, which often indicates a slow leak. Have leaks repaired by a licensed plumber to prevent damage. Pipe repairs or replacements may be necessary in some situations.
By promptly fixing any leaks or drips in your home’s plumbing system, you can conserve a significant amount of water during a heatwave or drought. Making water efficiency a priority and completing routine inspections and maintenance of faucets, toilets, pipes and other plumbing components will help ensure maximum water savings for your household. Reducing excess water usage is an important step each of us can take to support water sustainability in our communities.
Reuse Water Where Possible
Reusing water whenever possible during a heatwave is one of the most effective ways to conserve this precious resource. There are several simple steps you can take to reuse water in your home.
Collect Rainwater
Installing rain barrels to collect rainwater from your roof is an easy way to capture runoff for reuse. The collected rainwater can be used for watering plants, gardens, and lawns. Be sure to place rain barrels on sturdy, level surfaces and keep them covered to prevent breeding of mosquitoes and other pests.
Reuse Greywater
Greywater refers to wastewater from showers, sinks, washing machines, and other appliances. This gently used water can be reused for flushing toilets, watering plants, and other purposes. You may install a basic greywater system to filter and pump water from sources like showers and sinks to reuse for toilets and irrigation. Check with your local regulations regarding permits and proper installation for greywater systems.
Limit Flushing
Only flush the toilet when necessary. Do not use it as a wastebasket. Flushing less frequently can save up to 5 gallons of water per flush. You may also place a brick, water bottle, or commercial water displacement device in your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used per flush.
Reuse Dishwater and Cooking Water
Do not throw out water used for washing dishes, cooking vegetables or pasta after it has been used. Allow it to cool, then use it to water houseplants or your garden. The nutrients in the water can actually benefit your plants. Just be sure not to use water that contained raw meat, grease, or bleach.
Take Shorter Showers
Limit your showers to 5 minutes or less. Shorter showers can save up to 25 gallons of water per use. Turn off the shower when soaping up and shampooing and only turn it back on to rinse. These simple steps can significantly decrease water usage during showers.
Following these reuse and conservation steps during a heatwave can help ensure there is enough water for essential needs. Every drop counts, so look for ways to capture and reuse water in and around your home. Together, small changes can make a big difference.
Conclusion
In the end, there are many simple steps each of us can take to reduce water usage during periods of drought or heat waves. By turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth or washing dishes, taking shorter showers, and only running full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine, you can cut back significantly on the amount of water wasted every day. Take advantage of the hot weather to air dry clothes and towels instead of running the dryer. Every little bit helps when conserving this precious resource. Together, by making small changes to our daily habits and being mindful of how we use water, we can all work to ensure there is enough to go around even on the hottest of days. Our planet will thank us.
