Have you ever opened your water bill and felt you needed to sit down? Seeing today’s prices is jarring, but there’s nothing as surprising as your actual water use. Coupling this with the effects of climate change should spur action.

Here is what happens when you start conserving water — plus helpful tips to limit its use and waste at home.

What Will Less Water Use Do?

Reducing your water use contributes to conserving the supply. Current resources are vulnerable to pollution and contamination as climate change influences the natural water cycle. As a result, people will have less access.

Rising water commodification will also likely increase your utility bills. While these potential shortages and price hikes are worrying, conservation can prevent future scarcity and stabilize costs. Lessening your water use also lowers your carbon footprint. For instance, you need ample energy to heat, pump and store water at home. Reducing your carbon footprint slows climate change and replenishes the natural environment and resources.

How to Reduce Your Water Use

Minimizing water use shouldn’t intimidate you. Even a few small actions can make quite a difference when done long term. These eight tips will make daily water conservation easier.

1. Take Shorter Showers

Bathing is essential for personal hygiene and health. To lessen your water use, take showers instead of baths. A shower should last no more than five minutes, teaching you to become more time-efficient while using as few gallons of water as possible.

2. Avoid Running Water

Some people are guilty of leaving water running even if they don’t need it. Remember to switch the tap off during certain activities, like:

Brushing your teeth: Wet the toothbrush and toothpaste to eliminate debris. Then, turn the faucet off and on again between brushing and gargling.

Shaving: Rinsing the razor is a crucial step. Practice filling the sink with water instead of running it repeatedly.
Cleaning produce: Removing bacteria and dirt residue from fruits and vegetables requires running them under water. However, you can also wet the food and use a brush instead.
Washing the car: Instead of hosing down your car, get a tub to measure the water for washing. Wet and use a microfiber mitt to soap and wipe off the car.

3. Install Water-Saving Mechanisms

Even as you lessen running water, the pressure of your fixtures makes you use more than you would like. Consider adding water-saving mechanisms. For instance, add a small weight to your toilet tank to limit the water flow when you flush. Put low-flow attachments on your shower-heads and faucets, too.

4. Wait for Full Dish and Laundry Loads

When loading the dishwasher or laundry machine, wait and fill them to capacity before turning them on. These fixtures use the same amount of water for each cycle, whether a full or half load. Operating a loaded machine conserves water more efficiently.

5. Buy Energy-Efficient Machines

In addition to changing your habits, consider switching to more energy-efficient appliances. Upgraded washing machines utilize about 35% less water and 25% less energy than standard variations on the market. You’ll pay less for utilities in the long run.

6. Manually Turn on Water Sprinklers

Some homeowners set their sprinklers on a schedule, but manually turning them on gives you more control over your water usage. Plus, you can prevent overwatering your lawn on a rainy day.

7. Use Grey Water for Plants

All households generate wastewater from different fixtures. Instead of letting these resources go to waste, research whether your houseplants will benefit from grey water. Currently, 20 states have legislated its reuse for irrigation.

8. Have a Regular Leak Inspection

Be vigilant about potential leaks in your home, especially if your water bill has been unusually high. Check toilets, pipes and other parts of your home for issues. Once you’ve inspected the area and spotted the problem, call in a maintenance specialist.

Lower Your Water Use Moving Forward

Lowering your water use can make your bill more manageable while saving the planet. Plus, adopting water-conserving habits is easier than you think. Follow these tips to reduce your usage at home this year.

8 Ways to Reduce Your Water Use This Year