It may seem like one person can’t make a difference in our nation’s water supply, but that’s not true; every one of us can make a difference and it all starts at home.
According to National Geographic News, the worst drought in 1,000 years is predicted for the American West. Meanwhile, pictures of Lake Mead, North America’s largest man-made reservoir show that the water level is at the lowest it’s been since Hoover Dam was built in the 1930s.
A study recently published by scientists from NASA, Columbia University, and Cornell University report that the chances of a “megadrought” striking the Southwest and central Great Plains for 35 years or longer by 2100 are greater than 80 percent.
Why it Matters to Kansas Residents
Droughts can have a significant impact on agriculture and city water supplies. We can see some of those effects right now in California, which is experiencing the worst drought in the state’s history.
Communities across the country are beginning to use their precious water supply wisely, instead of wasting it. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average household uses approximately 260 gallons of water every day.
The EPA says that we can reduce this amount while saving money if we use our water more effectively by:
- Detecting and fixing leaky faucets
- Installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances
- Watering the lawn and garden with a minimum amount of water
- Shutting off the water while we brush our teeth (up to 3,000 gallons of water per year!)
Installing Water-Efficient Fixtures & Appliances
One of the best ways to make a difference is to install water-efficient plumbing fixtures and appliances in the home, such as:
Toilets:
Toilets account for nearly 30 percent of residential indoor water consumption. They are also a major source of wasted water due to leaks and inefficiency.
Toilets manufactured prior to 1992 use up to 3.5 gallons per a flush. Replacing old toilets with WaterSense models would save our nation nearly 2 billion gallons of water each day, according to the EPA.
Faucets:
By replacing faucets with a WaterSense labeled bathroom faucet, you can reduce a sink’s water flow by 30 percent or more, and you won’t be sacrificing performance.
Showerheads: When you replace shower fixtures with high-efficiency, water-saving models, you can achieve up to 60 percent water savings. Use showerheads with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gallons per minute for maximum water efficiency.
Other water-saving solutions include replacing appliances with water-saving ENERGY STAR® models, and ensuring that you’re using the appropriate water heater for your home.
Let Us Help You Create a Water-efficient Home!
Contact A-1 Sewer & Septic Service. Inc. to find out what we can do to make your home as efficient as possible, whether this means fixing leaks or replacing older, less efficient units with energy efficient models. Call our Kansas City plumbers today!
