On average, Americans use 80 to 100 gallons of water daily - that’s about 29,000 gallons annually.  However, implementing a few simple actions, we can protect our water supply, save money, and help combat the effects of climate change. 

1. Check for Hidden Leaks: An easy way to spot undetected leaks: Write down your water meter reading, then avoid using water for two hours. After two hours, check the meter again. If the readings don’t match, you likely have a leak.

2. Toilets: Toilets use the most water in your home. Start here for a big impact:

• Upgrade to a water-efficient toilet: New toilets use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush, but models with the EPA WaterSense label use even less (1.28 gallons per flush) and save you up to 70% in water.

• Dual flush converters: These can save up to 15,000 gallons annually.

• Plastic bottle trick: Place a one-liter plastic bottle in your toilet tank (away from the flush mechanism). This can save five gallons of water daily.

• Adjustable flappers: Installing one allows you to control the amount of water used for each flush.

• Check for leaks: Add a few drops of food dye to the tank. If the color appears in the bowl within 15 minutes, you have a leak that can waste up to 100 gallons a day.

3. Showers and Baths

Showers are the third-largest water consumer in a home, using about 30% of your water and energy expenses. Here’s how to conserve:

• Take shorter showers: Aim for four-minute showers, which use between 8–40 gallons of water depending on your shower head's efficiency.

• Use a shower timer: Set a timer to remind you when it’s time to turn off the water.

• Install water-saving shower heads: These reduce water flow from 10 gallons a minute to around three gallons without sacrificing water pressure.

4. Sinks

Sinks are another area where you can easily conserve water:

• Fix leaks: A small faucet leak can waste up to 20 gallons of water a day, while larger leaks can waste hundreds.

• Install low-flow aerators: These are inexpensive and can save a significant amount of water.

• Turn off the water: When brushing your teeth or shaving, turn off the faucet to save water.

Together, we can make a difference!

The foregoing is provided as a public service announcement and without promotion, representation, or review by the Village of Ardsley.

Did you know that, according to EPA research, the average American household uses over 300 gallons of water daily?  And, about 70 percent of this usage is indoors, with the remainder spent outdoors.  Here are some quick tips to help the environment, decrease your water bill and sewer tax, and saving you money!

The Kitchen

• Keep Water in the Fridge: Instead of running the faucet to get cold water, store a water container in the refrigerator for an instant, refreshing glass of water.

• Use Your Dishwasher: It turns out your dishwasher is more water-efficient than hand-washing, as long as you run full loads, use the shortest cycle, and avoid pre-rinsing. The EPA estimates that an efficient dishwasher can save about 5,000 gallons of water annually.

• Hand-Washing Dishes: If you hand-wash, avoid leaving the water running. Instead, rinse dishes in a container or fill one sink with rinse water if you have two sinks. If you have only one, rinse dishes quickly with a sprayer or in a pan of water.

• Minimize Garbage Disposal Use: Garbage disposals consume significant water and energy. Composting green waste or recycling food scraps is a better alternative.

• Turn Off the Faucet: Avoid letting water run when it’s not needed. Turn off the faucet while washing vegetables, fruits, or dishes. During handwashing, turn off the water while lathering up to save a quarter gallon of water per wash.

• Save Water While Cooking: Steam vegetables instead of boiling them to save water. Use the smallest pot for pasta, and reuse the pasta water for sauces. You can also steam veggies over the pasta pot to save even more water.

The Laundry Room

• Run the Shortest Cycle: Use the shortest wash cycle possible. Soaking clothes beforehand can help you use a shorter cycle. Avoid the extra rinse cycle to save water and energy, and wash in cold or cool water when possible.

• Only Run Full Loads: Save water and energy by waiting to run full loads of laundry.

• Wash Less Often: This is a tough one (we know), but the reality is that reducing the frequency of laundry can both save water and extend the life of your clothes. If clothes aren’t dirty or stained, reuse them before washing. You’ll save time and reduce water usage.

Rebates and More Tips on Saving Water
Veolia Conserve Water Rebate Center offers rebates for water-saving appliances and devices, so take advantage of savings when making water-efficient purchases.  For more water-saving tips, visit the EPA WaterSense site, which helps you identify high-efficiency products.   Veolia also provides helpful water-saving recommendations.

The foregoing is provided as a public service announcement and without promotion, representation, or review by the Village of Ardsley.

So, you think you know everything there is to know about water? We encourage you to try the Test Your WaterSense Game on the EPA website.  If you can answer the water-efficiency questions while avoiding water-wasting monsters, I think you are well on the way to helping our community.  Once you are finish, you can wse the information you've learned below to really scale back 💧

Choose Water-Efficient Appliances: Save money and conserve water by selecting products with the EPA WaterSense label. These items are certified for water efficiency, helping you identify high-performance products, homes, and programs.

Insulate Water Pipes: Wasting water while waiting for it to warm up is a common issue. Insulating your pipes reduces the time it takes to reach your desired water temperature, minimizing waste. Consider capturing the water you run while waiting for it to heat up in a bucket or jug, and use it to water your plants.

Reuse Water: Before draining used water, think about whether it can serve another purpose. For example, water from cooking or washing dishes can be used to water indoor plants, outdoor gardens, or wash the car. Water left in a glass on your nightstand? Don't pour it down the drain—use it creatively for other tasks.

Be Mindful of Food Choices: Both food and products have a water and carbon footprint. Many of the steps to reduce your food’s carbon footprint also help reduce your water footprint. For instance, beef is highly water-intensive, requiring nearly 1,800 gallons of water per pound to produce. Reducing meat consumption, especially beef, not only benefits your health but also lowers your water footprint.

Buy Less, Reuse More: Our consumer culture contributes to both carbon and water footprints. Be mindful of your purchases and prioritize long-term use. Recycle and reuse when possible to help reduce waste and conserve water.

Finally,  you can Learn More about the EPA's WaterSense and how we can all get more by using less.

The foregoing is provided as a public service announcement and without promotion, representation, or review by the Village of Ardsley.