The Earth is covered with water, but only around one percent of the Earth’s water is clean enough for humans to consume. Therefore, even a small reduction in home water use can make a real difference in the global effort to conserve water. It can also save significant money on your water bill over time. Here are some easy tips for conserving water when brushing your teeth.
Turn Off the Faucet
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), leaving the water running during tooth brushing wastes approximately four gallons. If there are four people in your home, and each person brushes twice per day, that adds up to over 11,000 gallons down the drain in just one year! You don’t need water between the time you dampen your toothbrush and the time you are ready to rinse, so why not simply turn off the faucet?
Use a Cup
Rinsing your mouth with water from your hands is convenient but impractical, since most of the water runs down the drain. With a cup, you can simply turn on the faucet long enough to capture a bit of water and then turn it off. To conserve trees as well as water, use a reusable cup rather than a stack of paper cups.
Recycle Water
If you like your tooth brushing water to be a precise temperature, you probably let the water run for a few moments until it reaches your desired temperature. Yet there is nothing wrong with the initial water beyond its temperature, so why waste it? Capture the water in a container for later drinking, plant watering, or refilling your pet’s water bowl.
Fix Leaks
There’s not much else you can do during the two minutes you spend with your toothbrush, so this is a great time to look around for leaks. Make sure there are no drips around the faucet or any of the pipe connections. Even a small leak can waste hundreds of gallons of water, so if you notice any drips, have them fixed as soon as possible.
Change Your Hardware
You will barely notice the difference in water flow between your old faucet and a new water-conserving model. Yet upgrading your faucet can reduce your water usage by about 50%. So why not lower your water bill by contributing to the global effort to conserve water?
Lead by Example
Young children will model the behaviors you display, so now is the right time to start teaching global responsibility. Let them see you conserving water, and supervise them as they learn to brush their teeth. If you stick with it every day, your kids will not think twice about practicing good water conservation habits.
Since only about one percent of the Earth’s water is drinkable, it is important for everyone to do their part to assist with conservation. Following these easy tips can save thousands of gallons of water each year, lowering your water bill while you help the planet.
Ready to Make Your Appointment?
If you’re ready to get started with a progressive yet conservative approach to your dental health, contact Creekview Dental today at 651-738-8204 to schedule your first appointment.
