Did you know that we may run out of water before we run out of oil? Researchers have suggested that by 2015, about half of the world’s population will live in countries that will have less water than they need for growing their own food.
We can no longer hide our heads in the sand and depend entirely on the men in lab coats and governments to figure out solutions to avoid such dire straits. Water is a resource that we all share, and there are things that we can do in our own homes to conserve it so that more of it is available for everyone. We can start with our plumbing systems.
You don’t necessarily need to shower with a friend to save water, like the early conservationists cheekily suggested. A large amount of water wastage happens through leaks in faucets and pipes and drains and toilets that don’t stop running. Simply adopting green plumbing can save thousands of liters of water in a year.
What You Can Do
Always be alert for faucet leaks. If you have a leaking faucet, get it replaced immediately. Leaks in the plumbing can cause as much as 14% of water loss from your home. This unnecessary loss of water will, moreover, add to your water bill.
Toilet leaks are harder to detect. A toilet leak may show up on your water bill even before you discover its source. Therefore it is a good idea to frequently check for leaks. If there are pools of water collecting on the floor of your bathroom, it is an obvious sign of a leak. It can be often sealed easily without having to replace parts. Therefore don’t delay in calling a plumber if you see such a problem.
There is also a litmus test to find out if your cistern keeps water running when it shouldn’t. You can add a few drops of food coloring to your cistern, and wait for around half an hour. If the water in the toilet turns colored, you may have a plumbing problem on your hands.
Use low-powered shower heads, or, better still, use a bath. You can save up to 15% of water by giving up running water in favor of a soak in a tub already filled with water. If a tub is not an option for lack of space, replace your old water-wasting shower heads with low-flow ones.
Don’t use too much of chemical drain cleaners. They can corrode your pipes. You can also install rainwater tanks to reduce the usage of your main water system. Simply by paying a little more attention to their residential plumbing, Timonium residents can help to increase the chances that their children will have enough water in their future.
Plumbing Timonium – Do you need professional services with your plumbing? Timonium residents will direct you to Saffer Plumbing and Heating for your needs.
