Happy World Water Day!

This Sunday is World Water Day! And water and energy are inseparable friends.

The U.S. is facing a threat to the amount of available drinking water. According to a study by the American Water Works Association, more than half of the U.S. population (54%) lives in cities that have vulnerable water supplies. Coast to coast, we must evaluate our use of this precious resource!

Read on for top ways you can conserve and reclaim this precious resource.

Conserve:

• In the kitchen:
  • When washing dishes by hand, instead of letting the water run, fill the sink or a large container and then rinse your dishes once they’ve all been scrubbed.
  • Similarly, when washing fruits and veggies, clean them in a pan or basin of clean water.
  • Operate the dishwasher (and laundry!) only when full and loaded.
  • Rather than thaw your meat or other frozen food in water, leave it in the refrigerator overnight.
  • Start a compost pile instead of utilizing your sink’s garbage disposal.
• In the bathroom:
  • Take showers instead of baths, and try to keep it quick!
  • Turn off the water while you are shaving, washing your face or brushing your teeth.
• Outside:
  • Install a smart sprinkler, such as the Rachio Iro, which can read weather patterns and help you water only when necessary. Check out the Rachio Iro smart sprinkler controller bundled with our Pollution Free™ WaterSaver electricity plan.
  • Give your pet a bath on a patch of grass that needs some extra love.
  • Use a rain barrel to harvest rainwater from gutters to use for gardens and lawns.
• Generally:
  • Keep your faucets turned off and make sure they’re not leaking – one drip every second adds up to 5 gallons per day!
  • Use EPA Watersense® labeled products and water-conservation products such as water-saving showerheads. Products bearing the WaterSense label have been independently certified to perform well; help save water, energy, and money; and encourage innovation in manufacturing.
  • Read more about why we care about water.

Reclaim:

• Reuse the water left over from cooked or steamed foods to start a yummy soup
• Try not to put leftover water down the drain (from leftover water bottles, cooking, etc.). Instead, use it for cleaning, watering a plant or garden or filling a pet’s water bowl.
• Read this blog for another tip on re-using water.