From Guest Blogger Kara Masterson: Lean Green House–Four Water Conservation Tips for New Homeowners

When you started shopping around for a new home, water conservation was probably not nearly as important as location, good schools, or getting the best price. However, preserving water and protecting the environment is still something everyone should take part in. Here are several easy tips on saving water that you can start to follow once you get settled in.

Inspect Your Plumbing System

Even one slow leak can add up to gallons of wasted water per day. Check all your visible plumbing for leaks both inside and outside the home, and look for signs of moisture in drywall, beneath the kitchen sink, and under the home if you have a crawlspace. The most common wasters are dripping faucets and toilets that continue to run. You can always upgrade these to newer aerated or low-flow fixtures to save even more.

Efficient Usage

Smart water use can also save you hundreds of gallons of water per year. Develop good habits like not leaving faucets to run continuously while shaving, brushing teeth, doing dishes, or preparing food. Install a shower head with a lever that shuts off water flow so that it isn’t running while you shampoo or lather up. You should also run washers and dishwashers only when you have a full load.

Automate Sprinklers

Using more water than necessary to keep your greenery healthy is very wasteful. Each use should soak the affected area to a depth of 3 inches. Over-watering can actually lead to fungus and plant diseases. Most of the time once a week is sufficient even in periods without rain. Try watering in the morning or evening when there will be less water loss from evaporation. To save yourself both water and headaches, install a modern lawn sprinkler system that can be automated to kick in only at certain times or places, or to maintain a certain moisture level in the soil.

Collect Rainwater

This is a very simple idea which many people surprisingly overlook. Get at least one large plastic barrel, such as a 55-gallon plastic or galvanized drum, and place it where it can collect rainwater run-off from your roof or gutters. Cover it to keep out water-breeding insects like mosquitoes when not in use. This should give you a good amount of fresh water during the rainy season that you can use to water plants, wash the car, or for other uses when the showers stop.

By implementing and following some good practices that will save water, you’re helping out future generations and, if you depend on municipal water supplies, saving money on your water bill. Those are both good reasons to start taking water conservation seriously.