Save Water to Save Money

In the 1970s, water used to be free. Due to our negligence, water is no longer a free product  and no longer pure and clean. Nowadays, people buy drinking water afraid of drinking contaminated water. Measures must be taken to recycle resources and clean the water system before water becomes scarce.

For starters, people should reduce their usage of water by taking shorter showers, which will decrease their water and electric bills. Also, installing inexpensive low-flow showerheads and toilets will decrease water and electric bills. Furthermore, a faucet aerator, on all faucets in the household, is inexpensive. These gadgets will reduce electric and water bills. But the water pressure will remain high.

Conserve water by using xeric gardens. Plants in xeric gardens are native to the area and do not require much water. In order to water them, it is recommended to use gray water. This gray water is the water from the kitchen, bathrooms, sinks, showers, tubs, laundry, washing machines, and dishwasher. Only biodegradable soaps are used in order to create this gray water. Recycle this gray water by watering gardens, plants, and lawn.

Use the machine washer/dryer and dishwasher after seven in the afternoon when energy consumption is lower. Wash most of your clothes in cold water because hot weather uses up a lot of energy. When drying clothes, only place big and thick pieces, like towels, sheets, jeans, sweats, blankets, robes and pajamas in the dryer with dryer balls in order to reduce the length of drying. Try to lay out smaller pieces of clothing as well as the delicate and gentle garments to air dry. Recycle the gray water from the washing machine and dishwasher for watering the plants. Do not flush the toilet too many times during the daytime in order to decrease water bill.

As people learn to reduce their water usage, they should also take appropriate measures to religiously practice the three Rs on a daily and ongoing basis. The three Rs include reducing, recycling and reusing so that valuable natural resources do not become scarce. Important products that need to be recycled include aluminum, steel and tin cans, glass bottles and jars, and paper and plastic products including plastic water bottles.

Old electronics should be recycled since they contain lead and mercury, which can taint the soil and water. Thereby, poisoning drinking water as well as vegetation.  Car fluids, parts, batteries and accessories as well as auto bodies and tires should be recycled.

Recycling old compost to create your own fertilizer will assist in the growth of nutrient-enriched plants and garden.  Furthermore, be sure to buy merchandise in bulk or large boxes to save on packaging. Such bulk shopping can be found in warehouse stores, such as Costco.

Other products to watch out for when recycling include using VOCs and petrochemicals. Cotton and linen products do not emit VOCs in the air; and thereby, improving air quality. Organic cotton is a lot better because it does not use up petrochemicals. Also, using cleaning products that do not have harsh chemicals and that are not scented will recycle better. Do not use foam products, such as cups, bowls, plates, and clamshell boxes, because they use up petrochemicals and they do not recycle well.

Therefore, the secret to saving water requires reducing your water usage, recycling products, and reusing old products. But people need to remember that some products give out harsh chemicals, such as lead, mercury, petrochemicals, and VOCs, and can contaminate drinking water. To be safe, they should not buy such products that are scented or have chemicals. As people practice the three Rs, their water and electric bills start to decrease, their environment is cleaner, and they are saving the planet in the process.

To learn more about going green and saving money, download a copy of “Simple Ways to Go Green and See Green” at www.gogreenlivinggreen.com.