Sustainability: Saving Water

Spring has sprung! With it, comes warmer water as well. That being said, here are a few ways you can help the environment by limiting your water usage:

  1. Limit yourself to 5-minute showers. According to the EPA, the average showerhead uses 2.5 gallons of water per minute. That's equivalent to 20 gallons for an 8-minute shower! By shortening your daily shower by three minutes, you'd be saving over 2700 gallons a year! The easiest way to accomplish this goal is to listen to a 5-minute song!

 

  1. Water refill stations are scattered throughout campus. Not only do these machines provide fresh, filtered water, but they also prevent you from having to buy disposable water bottles. Next time you see a refill station around campus, take a look at the number on the screen. That's how many water bottles have been refilled, rather than purchased by each of these machines.

 

  1. If you're looking to purchase plants for your yard, consider using drought-resistant plants. Lawns covered with green grass might look nice, but require a LOT of water. Instead, pick up plants that can stand the upcoming spring and summer without a ton of care.

 

  1. Check for leaks in your house. Many of Ann Arbor's homes are decades old – some even from the 1800s. Leaks not only cause water waste, but lead to mildew, mold, and in extreme cases, structural damage.

 

  1. Only wash clothes when you have a full load. Washing machines can't tell the difference, and use the same amount of water for every load.

          

            *For 96 more tips, you can click here!

 

Contributed By Paul Ligeti