Saving on water (and energy) is important for the environment. Often, just updating some of your equipment around the home or fixing a problem can result in saving a lot of water and energy – which is good for the environment and you! While there is a heap of water on earth, most of it is not fit for human consumption.

Below, are some great ways to make your own home more environmentally friendly.

• Installing a low-flow toilet can result in 30% less litres of water used per flush. Taking into account that toilets represent about 30% of your household water usage (second only to the shower), this is significant water conservation.
• Installing a low-flow showerhead can result in 50% less litres of water used per shower. On average, a five-minute shower with a regular showerhead will use 100 litres of water. A five-minute shower with a low-flow showerhead will only use 35 litres of water. A good quality low-flow showerhead will feel the exact same as a regular one. Save water and save money at the same time by installing a low-flow showerhead.
• A semi filled bath saves more water than a short shower. A comfortable bath usually takes approximately 150 litres of water. A shower uses about 11-20 litres of water per minute. Doing the math, that means that if you’re going to take a shower for about 10 minutes or more, it’s more economical and you’ll save more water if you take a semi filled bath.
• A leaky faucet can waste up to 75 litres of water per day.  Keep an eye out for leaks and have them fixed as quickly as possible. Loosing 75 litres of water a day is equivalent to a half filled bath from above!
• A running toilet can waste up to 750 litres of water per day! That’s a lot of water being used for nothing.
• Consider purchasing a tankless water heater. A tankless water heater in some cases can save you up to 40% on energy for hot water.
• Keep an eye out for hidden plumbing leaks. Plumbing outside the home often go undetected unless you look for them. Approximately, up to 30% of water entering supply-line systems can be lost to leaking pipes. Make sure you call your local plumber if you notice this occurring.
• When rinsing fruits and vegetables, do not use running water. Fill a small bowl with water to rinse the fruit and vegetables instead.
• Turn the water off when you are brushing your teeth, and only use short bursts to rinse out your mouth.
• Clean your sidewalks and driveway with a broom and not a garden hose.
• The best method to check if you have leaks in your water system is to turn off all taps in your home. Then go to the water meter for your home and see if it is still running. If its still running, you have a water leak somewhere.