Ways that Water is Wasted Over the Summer Months
On average, American homes waste about 9,400 gallons of water annually. These numbers are astounding and given their impact on our environment, it is worth exploring the reasons for such waste in attempts to reduce it. As the region’s leading plumbing service in Mobile, Alabama, we want to explore these reasons and their possible solutions with you.
These Things Lead to Water Waste
So how is it that water is wasted on such a great scale? Based on our findings, water waste across America occurs in a greater capacity over the summer in the following ways:
Overwatering Lawns and Gardens
We love a nice, green lawn and watered garden, but all that comes at a hefty price: water waste. Many people overwater their gardens and lawns over the summer but still turn on the sprinkling system once or twice a day. Sometimes, there is so much water flowing into the lawn and garden that it can hardly get absorbed before evaporating into the air.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) advises watering your lawn just once or twice a week. The water that is provided during watering sessions continues to be absorbed even long after the sprinkling system is turned off. Thus, do your best to limit your sprinklers to operate once or twice weekly to reduce water waste.
A faulty sprinkling system can also lead to water waste, especially if it has leaky pipes. Consult your local plumbing service in Mobile, Alabama, if you notice this occurring in your home.
Leaving Sprinklers on for Too Long
Sometimes, homeowners allow their sprinklers to run for far too long, which also leads to water waste. Many people believe that the lawn must be watered for an hour at a time to keep it green. We recommend setting the time for less than 30 minutes, twice a week. This will help you keep the lawn fresh and green without wasting too much water.
Washing Cars Frequently
Frequent car washing also leads to water waste. If you must wash your car at home, use a bucket with soapy water instead of a running hose. Also, consider using the local car wash as their water usage is specifically calculated to effectively wash each car without excess waste. This will help you save not only water but time as well.
Filling Swimming Pools
Filling a swimming pool requires a large amount of water, and it’s important to be mindful of this. Consider using a pool cover to help reduce evaporation, and only fill the pool when necessary.
Neglecting to Fix Leaks
Much of the nation’s water waste is attributed to leaky faucets, pipes, and fixtures. A leak in your home must be dealt with as soon as possible to curb the water waste and prevent high water bills. Prolonged water leaks also cause damage to the interior of the home and may even lead to the development of mold. Thus, we recommend contacting a plumbing pro in Mobile, AL. They will use their expertise to help troubleshoot and repair those leaks.
Using a Hose to Clean Driveways and Sidewalks
Perhaps the most hurtful and unnecessary way to wastewater is to use the hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. We understand why people resort to this cleaning method. It’s an easy method of cleaning as the water pushes the dirt away. However, this method is highly wasteful, and we recommend using a broom or leaf blower instead. Doing so will help you reduce your impact on America’s annual water waste statistics.
Top Plumbing in Mobile Alabama
Are you concerned about the water waste that your household contributes to each year? Truly, this is a topic that all of us must explore and determine what we can do to reduce our contributions to waste. A great way to start is to have your plumbing system inspected for possible leaks and needed repairs that waste your water. Call Hansen Super Techs today to set up a plumbing repair or maintenance service to get started.
