We are fortunate to have clean drinking water whenever we need it. Over 70% of the Earth’s surface is water, and our oceans hold about 96.5% of that water. The other water sources come from lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds. Most of the water on earth is salty sea water. Only 2% of the planet’s water is fresh, drinkable water, and 1% of that is frozen in the Earth’s poles.

Human beings are made up of over 60% of water for our bodies to function properly. It’s vital that we conserve and use the fresh water that we have responsibly. Here are 5 easy tips to save gallons of water every year.

1. Turn Off the Faucet When Brushing Teeth: One of the easiest ways to save gallons of water every year is to turn off the faucet while you are in the bathroom. You don’t need the water to run while you brush your teeth, shave, or wash your face. Take that extra second to save water, and turn off the faucet. Encourage everyone in your family to start adopting this habit.
2. Washing Dishes–Fill Up Sink: If you hand wash pots and pans that can’t go in the dishwasher, then fill up the sink with some water instead of constantly letting the faucet run. Wash all of the dishes in the sink with the basin of soapy water. Rinse the pots and pans over the sink to add more water to wash more dishes with. Turn the water off when you aren’t rinsing.
3. Use Low-Flow Products: If you’re able to switch out the household appliances, opt for low-flow options. These appliances are able to do the same amount of work, while using less water. You can change out everything from dishwashers and shower heads, to toilets and washing machines. Any faucet can be altered to provide the same amount of water pressure by using less water.
4. Take Shorter Showers: One easy way to save tons of gallons a year is to limit how long your showers are. A typical five-minute shower uses about 15 gallons of water. Many people use showers to wake up in the morning. That’s perfectly fine, but don’t use it as a time to sit and daydream. Get into a routine in the shower so that you can quickly shower and shave without spending extra time standing around. Every minute extra in the shower is another three gallons of water down the drain!
5. Only Wash Large Loads of Clothes and Dishes: Wait to run the main appliances until you have a full load to wash. The dishwasher will use the same amount of water regardless of how many dishes are in the racks. Be mindful to wait to run the dishwasher until there are plenty of things that need to be washed. The same goes for clothes. Running the washing machine with a large load will use water more effectively. You can change the settings to have it run for smaller loads, but it isn’t as efficient as washing a full load.

These are simple, small changes that you can make to your daily routine to help conserve our water. Another added benefit will be cheaper water bill that you will see. Everyone loves saving money, while they save the planet!