Four Ways to Reduce Water Usage

When you look at a map, it’s clear that water is Earth’s most abundant resource, and one of the most essential resources to our everyday life. And though it seems to flow endlessly, many people are surprised to learn that water is a limited renewable resource. In fact, one in three people do not have access to clean and safe drinking water.

This issue is becoming even more scarce with shifts in climate causing extreme dryness – and even megadroughts. According to UNICEF, this challenge to access clean freshwater is expected to impact us until 2030. Which is why it’s important to conserve water when and where we can.

While a vast majority (89%) of the earth's water is used and consumed for agricultural and industrial sectors (for example farmers for livestock and crops, and key players in food production), there are still steps each of us can take at home to help limit our water waste.

Four Ways to Minimize Unnecessary Water Use

There are certain elements relating to water that are out of our control – such as droughts or aging underground pipes. But we do have a direct impact on how we use water in our own homes. Homeowners can play a large role in helping conserve water in these four ways:

• Invest in a water management system.  If a smart water management system detects a leak, the user can minimize water loss and damage through app alerts. For example, the user is notified and can either: 1.) turn off the water manually to, or; 2.) use a customized routine that would automatically turn off the water to the home. In 2021, Resideo water leak detectors helped stop an estimated 2.4 million gallons of water leaks and prevented $2.6M in insurance claims. That's roughly enough water to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool 3.6 times!
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• Check for a leaky faucet. A faucet that drips once per second wastes 3,000 gallons annually. It can be caused by a multitude of things, such as corrosion or a loose O-Ring. These leaks are typically small and can be an easy, DIY fix.
 
• Consider your laundry and dishwasher. Use ENERGY-STAR and High Efficiency products in the kitchen and laundry room. These can save you money on your water bill by using two times less water. Also, washing dishes by hand uses 3.5 times more water than using a dishwasher.
  
  
• Re-use where you can. Capture rainwater by adding a rain barrel to the end of your gutters, which can conserve and hold 65-85 gallons of rainwater for your plants or outside cleaning. In your home, try reusing your cooking water for more plant watering!

With a few small changes to your daily lifestyle, you too can make a big impact on Earth's most precious resource. More information about Resideo water solutions at Resideo.com/water.