The average person uses several gallons of water each day, but the prevalence of water overconsumption means that a large percentage of that water simply runs down the drain either partially or completely unused. Water usage is an environmental concern, as conservation of this natural resource means reduced pollution, lowered energy costs and cleaner, safer ecosystems. 

Here are several ways you can be more mindful of your water use and protect the planet from droughts, food insecurity, restricted water supplies and other serious environmental concerns. 

Find Out Where You Need to Cut Back

The first step in your own personal water conservation efforts is to identify just how much water you’re using on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. One of the most reliable sources of information is your utility bill, but you can also simply turn your attention to your daily habits and take a look at areas you could be wasting more water than you use. No matter what human activity uses the most water, it’s important that you can at least become aware of which of your own activities lead to the greatest use of water. 

Look Around for Leaks

Your home could be wasting water without your knowledge through leaky pipes, dripping faucets and fixtures left untightened. A surprising amount of water can be wasted through even a single leaking faucet, so it’s important to make repairs in order to conserve as much water as possible. You may want to hire a professional so that repairs are taken care of properly, but even DIY fixes can make a huge difference. 

Utilize High-Efficiency Appliances

Though many around the country choose to hand wash their dishes rather than use the dishwasher, this seemingly efficient habit wastes more water than many realize. One of the best ways you can conserve water in your home is to use high-efficiency appliances, as these machines are designed to perform their jobs using fewer resources, including water and electricity. Additionally, whether you have high-efficiency appliances or not, you should always only run your machines when you have full loads to cleanse. 

Collect Surplus Water

A large amount of water that ends up in drains, gutters and pipes could be used for other purposes. Consider purchasing a few buckets that you can place on your doorstep to collect rainwater, or stick one in your shower to gather extra water to be used for watering plants, rinsing your pavement or any other suitable purpose. 

Turn Off the Faucet

Perhaps the easiest habit to incorporate into your daily routine is to make sure that you don’t leave the water running unnecessarily throughout your day. Always turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth, wash your hands, wash your dishes or run a shower. In these instances, only use as much water as you need to complete the task. 

Adjust Your Fixtures

To conserve even more water throughout your day, you can make a few modifications to your existing fixtures that will restrict the amount of water that comes through without sacrificing any power, flow or impact. Your garden hose can be tweaked with the addition of an automatic shut-off device, while your bathroom or kitchen faucets can be outfitted with low-flow attachments. 

Limit Landscaping

A significant portion of each home’s water usage is related to landscaping. Some plants are more water-intensive than others, so your best option, if you’d like to cut down on your water bill and place less strain on the planet, is to choose drought-friendly landscaping options. Xeriscaping, functional lawn spaces and foliage that has adapted to the regional rainfall levels, so that little additional water is needed. 

Adapt as Needed

Conservation is an ongoing process that requires frequent recalibration and revisiting your routines to make sure that you’re doing all that you can to do your part. Every so often, make a point to look again at your daily practices to ensure your habits are as eco-friendly as possible, and tweak your routines if you notice any areas that need improvement.