Bathing Habits That Conserve Water

As much as we all love the occasional long, hot shower or bath, it ends up costing us and the environment more that our water and electric bill show.  We don’t need to take long shows.  Our hygiene needs can be met in ways that are quick, but easy and effective.  Conserving water is something that EnviroCitizen.org believes we all must take part in to help promote a healthy Earth.

The average person uses a shower for about 10 minutes per day, so switching to a low-flow showerhead can save 58,000 gallons of water per year for a household of four!  This is something that can be done easily to almost any shower.  These systems are relatively inexpensive and will end up paying for themselves in the water savings you see the first year.  You can easily tell if your system needs replacement.  If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model.

Watch and decrease your time in the shower.  Every minute you spend in there means that there are many gallons of water going down the drain.  In fact, after landscaping and outdoor use, showering is the behavior that consumes the most water.  Even if you have water-wise installations, it is nothing compared to good habits.  Keep showers short with pressure at a low force.  Try to combine every grooming need you can into one session such as cleaning, shaving and hair care.  While shaving or leaving in your conditioner, turn off the water while you wait.  This will save lots of water.  Reducing the length of your shower by just one minute could save you up to 1,825 gallons of water each year!

If you prefer baths, there are some things that you can do to make them more eco-friendly.  Turn on the water after you close the drain and take shallow.  You can save up to 15 gallons of water if you fill the bath tub only half full.  Re-use bath water to water your lawn or shrubs. 

Conserving water is easy to do with good habits.  EnviroCitizen.org has found that all it takes is a little ambition and discipline.  If each household were to use water more carefully during their bathing routines, it will add up to a lot more water that will be available for the future.  Water is one resource that we cannot squander since we certainly cannot live without it.