Simple Ways to Conserve Water in Orange County
With drought conditions sticking around in Orange County, we’re all looking for ways to save water…without sacrificing your comfort or sanity. A full house means full laundry baskets, endless dishes, and lots of showers.
So, what changes can you make to lower your water bill while still keeping the chaos clean?
Water Conservation Tips You Can Start Today
Water conservation doesn’t have to be outdoor showers or overhauling your plumbing system. A few small changes can make a big impact. Think of it like hiding your children’s veggies in pasta sauce.
Here are some simple actions you can start today:
- Take Shorter Showers – A mothers knows the shower can be therapy with hot water. However, it’s best to save those long, relaxing showers for every once in a while. By keeping regular showers short and sticking to the necessities, you can save thousands of gallons of water.
- Turn Off Water While You Brush Your Teeth – When you leave the sink running while you brush your teeth, it goes right from the faucet and down your drain, taking your hard-earned money with it. Save water—and your wallet—with this simple adjustment.
- Orange County-Friendly Landscaping – Plant native and drought-resistant plants in your yard. They’ll fare much better than any high-water plants that struggle to stay alive under the California sun. Water your plants early in the morning to prevent all that water from evaporating up into the sky.
- Reuse Greywater – Water from your dishes can be used to water your house plants! As long as you are using your greywater for non-potable uses, this is a fantastic way to cut down on unnecessary water usage.
- Wait for Full Loads of Dishes and Laundry – It might be tempting to run half a load of laundry or dishes, but waiting until these fixtures are full saves gallons of water with every cycle. And if you’ve been hand-washing dishes to save water, you might be surprised to learn that hand-washing uses more water than the dishwasher!
Water-Efficient Upgrades to Make to Your Home
And, if you’re ready to make some larger changes and level up your water-saving game, we’ve got your back. With water-efficient fixtures and appliances, you can turn your home into a water conservation powerhouse, without giving up the long showers entirely.
- Swap to Low-Flow Fixtures – Low-flow fixtures (toilets, shower heads, sink faucets) reduce the flow of water to just 1.5 gallons per minute! This can greatly reduce your water usage without changing your habits.
- Upgrade Your Old Appliances – Even if the idea of low-flow fixtures isn’t appealing, new upgraded appliances are usually more energy and water-efficient than older models.
- Fix Leaks – A sneaky leak can be responsible for hundreds or thousands of gallons of unused water. By fixing any leaks, you can spend less and conserve more water.
- Install an Automatic Water Shut-Off – An automatic water shut-off monitors your system and sends alerts right to your phone. In the event of a leak, this device automatically turns off your water in seconds.
Barker and Sons is Orange County’s Green Plumber
We take our role as Orange County’s green plumber seriously, but we also know your family comes first. That’s why we focus on practical, real-life solutions that make your life easier while also saving water and money.
If you’re ready to upgrade your appliances, fix a stubborn leak, or need helpful plumbing advice, give us a call.
